Share this @internewscast.com

WASHINGTON — The federal government runs out of money in less than two weeks, but House Speaker Mike Johnson and his leadership team have yet to settle on a strategy to avert a shutdown.

Johnson, R-La., and his team huddled Monday evening to review their options to keep the government open past the Nov. 17 deadline.

“Everything is on the table. We’re just evaluating the merits of each approach,” conservative Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., said as he left the meeting, adding that the full House Republican Conference will discuss its options at a closed-door meeting Tuesday morning.

Johnson said last week his preference is to pass a continuing resolution through Jan. 15, which would keep the government’s lights on through the holidays and buy the House and the Senate more time to pass and negotiate all 12 appropriations bills.

But during the private meeting Monday, GOP leaders also discussed an idea, favored by conservatives, that calls for staggered, short-term stopgap funding measures. Under the latest proposal, Republicans would put three to four appropriations bills in a continuing resolution, or CR, until Dec. 7 and put the rest of the spending bills in a separate CR through Jan. 19. 

“I’m open to just about any idea right now. But I like it because it does help us be focused on a timetable of getting our work done,” Donalds said. “Like in school or in a business world, you have a timetable to get your work done. And I’ve never seen anything like Congress where there is no timetables to get your work done.”

The idea, first proposed by Rep. Andy Harris, R-Md., a member of the far-right Freedom Caucus, has been discussed in the Capitol — and panned on social media — as a “laddered” CR. Johnson used the term in his first news conference last week.

But in Monday night’s meeting, GOP leaders warned their colleagues to stop using that phrase because it is confusing to the public, attendees said.

Regardless of what they call it, conservatives say they like the approach. The general concept would be to keep the heat on the Senate to pass individual appropriations bills while giving hard-line Republicans in the House, who typically balk at stopgap funding measures, incentives to vote for them.

“I think you’ll see very short-term funding bills, if we need those, to give a little bit of time to negotiate with the Senate,” said Rep. Bob Good, R-Va., another Freedom Caucus member. “I think you’re going to see the specifics of that rolled out, if we need to, over the coming two weeks.”

Johnson, who is enjoying a honeymoon period, has previously floated a short-term bill through January — or April, depending on what his members prefer — and even ultraconservatives said they’re willing to give him space to pursue it. But the specifics of such a bill have yet to be hammered out.

Staffers for the top appropriators in Congress — the “four corners” — are poised to meet Monday evening to discuss a path forward, with more discussions expected throughout the week, a congressional aide said.

The deadline is nearing, and the Senate, having passed just three appropriations bills, is also considering a short-term bill.

It’s unclear when the Senate will act. But for now, Democrats are pressing their case that any bill must avoid partisan measures.

“Republicans have to decide what they want. Do they want to pass a bipartisan bill, or do they want a shutdown?” a Senate Democratic aide said.

Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, the vice chair of the Appropriations Committee, said her preference is to continue moving full funding bills in “minibuses” — packaging three at a time.

“I would prefer that we continue with the original plan, which was to have four minibuses,” she said.

The Senate passed one of those minibuses — to fund military construction and veterans affairs, agriculture, and transportation and housing — with bipartisan support last week.

A Senate Democratic aide said that there “seems to be momentum to avoid a shutdown next week” but that it’s unclear what that would look like.

Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., said he’s unfamiliar with the “laddered CR” idea and wants to ensure that any short-term bill is “tied to making sure we get appropriations done” rather than tossing all funding bills together in a massive, last-minute “omnibus,” as Congress often does.

“That’s what the real focus is — that we don’t end up with an omnibus,” he said of Johnson’s plan. “He’s opposed to an omnibus.”

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
President Donald Trump pauses $2.1B for Chicago infrastructure projects, leveraging shutdown to pressure Democrats

Trump Halts $2.1 Billion for Chicago Infrastructure, Using Shutdown to Sway Democrats

CHICAGO — White House budget director Russ Vought announced that the Trump…
Alleged stalker detained then released after girls’ hit-and-run deaths, arrested days later: officials

Suspected Stalker Temporarily Detained After Girls’ Tragic Hit-and-Run, Arrested Again Days Later: Officials Report

A 17-year-old, suspected in a hit-and-run murder, was briefly detained and questioned…
Shakori Hills festival brings music, community and family together in North Carolina

North Carolina’s Shakori Hills Festival: A Celebration of Music, Community, and Family

Pittsboro, NC — In the picturesque landscapes of Chatham County, a music…
JSO: Man shot during argument with suspect on Moncrief Road

JSO: Argument on Moncrief Road Leads to Shooting

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said the man suffered a non-life-threatening injury after…
Latter-day Saints hold first general conference without a president in at least a century

Historic Milestone: First LDS General Conference in Over 100 Years Without a President

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day…
Rifle behind Charlie Kirk’s killing may be untraceable relic from WWI

Expert Identifies Vulnerability in Prosecution’s Case Against Charlie Kirk’s Alleged Assassination

PROVO, Utah — A key challenge in the prosecution’s case against Tyler…
ICE officers in Illinois targeted by illegal immigrants who used 'vehicles as weapons,' officials say

Illinois ICE Officers Attacked by Illegal Immigrants Using Vehicles as Weapons, Officials Report

Two illegal immigrants were arrested in Illinois for allegedly weaponizing their vehicles…
Illinois City Bars DHS Secretary Noem From City Hall and Intends to Tear Down ICE-Installed Barricades

Illinois City Blocks DHS Secretary Noem from City Hall and Plans to Remove Barricades Set Up by ICE

The situation in Broadview, Illinois, is nearing a critical level as local…
Hopes fade for quick end to shutdown as Trump readies layoffs and cuts

Prospects Dim for Fast Shutdown Resolution as Trump Plans Job Cuts and Budget Reductions

The possibility of quickly ending the government shutdown seemed to be dwindling…
Japan poised for first female prime minister after ruling party elects Sanae Takaichi as new leader

Sanae Takaichi becomes leader of Japan’s ruling party, paving the way for her potential to be the first female prime minister

Japan is on track to get its first female prime minister after…
Rising climbing star plunges to death from Yosemite's El Capitan mid-livestream

Promising Climber Tragically Falls to Death from Yosemite’s El Capitan During Livestream

Tragedy unfolded at Yosemite National Park on Wednesday when renowned climber Balin…
DOE Takes a Scalpel to 'Nearly $8B' in Blue States' Green Energy Waste During Schumer Shutdown

DOE Targets Nearly $8 Billion in Green Energy Mismanagement in Blue States Amid Schumer Shutdown

The Democrats seem to have significantly misjudged their strategy in causing a…