Senate Democrats are playing a high-stakes waiting game, allowing Speaker Kevin McCarthy to take the lead in the showdown to avert a government shutdown, but the suspense is mounting as the clock ticks down.
In the upper chamber, Democratic leaders are withholding their next move, refusing to tip their hand just yet. They’re keenly observing McCarthy’s efforts to wrangle his unruly House GOP conference and are giving him the chance to act first before they spring into action. With the September 30 shutdown deadline looming ominously, it’s a nail-biting waiting game on Capitol Hill.
Senate Appropriations Chair Patty Murray (D-Wash.) hinted at the tension in an interview, stating, “They have to take action first, technically, so let’s see what they can do in the next couple days.” The urgency of the situation hangs heavily in the air, and Murray, when asked about a timeline, intriguingly responded, “Talk to me in a couple days.”
At a press conference later, Murray underscored her commitment to crafting a bipartisan stopgap bill that includes Ukraine funding and disaster aid. The drama builds as the Senate watches and waits.
Democrats are gearing up for the expected passage of a House stopgap bill, known as a continuing resolution (CR), and its subsequent arrival in the Senate. Their strategy involves amending the bill in the Senate to remove contentious provisions, such as spending cuts and border policy, before sending it back to the House. The stakes are high, and the clock is ticking down rapidly to the October 1 deadline.
Time is running out, and the Senate’s tight schedule adds to the sense of urgency. Senators typically depart on Thursday afternoons, with Monday set aside for Yom Kippur. As the pressure mounts, securing cooperation from all 100 members may become a necessity to pass a bill that prevents the impending government shutdown.
Amid this suspenseful backdrop, the Senate is juggling a bundle of spending bills designed to fund the government for a year, further complicating the high-stakes budgetary dance. Some senators are eager to pivot to the imminent shutdown battle, making it a top priority.
Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) emphasized the urgency, stating, “I think we ought to focus on the CR and emergency supplemental as the most important priority. Can we prioritize higher getting a CR done?”
Meanwhile, across the Capitol, McCarthy finds himself caught in the crossfire, arguing that the House won’t accept a Senate-approved deal. In a skillful political maneuver, he attempts to shift the blame for a potential shutdown onto Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, even as he grapples with his own party’s dissent.
The Capitol Hill showdown escalates, with each passing day adding more intrigue to this gripping political thriller.
