There are 11 days left in the fiscal year and no guarantee that Congress will find a way to fund the government beyond that, with more and more in Washington seeming resigned to the fact the government may shut down, at least temporarily. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) predicted at least a 10-day shutdown, Punchbowl News.
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) may not have the votes to pass a 30-day continuing resolution that was drafted by conservatives and moderates in his conference. Even if it were to pass, it’s seen as a non-starter in the Senate, as Roll Call reported.
Some House Republicans have begun discussing whether to work with Democrats to pass a stopgap bill. If that happens, it could cause even more infighting among House Republicans. Some may press to remove McCarthy from the speaker’s chair, another distraction from the appropriations process.
The Senate is trying to move three appropriations bills, including one to fund military construction and the VA. It’s taking longer than appropriators and leaders hoped, because one member objected to moving them together.
Navy photo from 2013 by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Peter D. Melkus
