AP reported that the White House has asked federal agencies to prepare for a government shutdown scenario. The reason is that Republicans in the House of Representatives have not yet agreed to pass a budget agreement.
If no deal is reached by the September 30 deadline, non-essential federal agencies will be forced to shut down. The new US fiscal year begins on October 1.
"If federal employees are not getting paid, it's the Republicans' fault," White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stressed. "Our message is: This can't happen. Their job is to keep essential programs running, to keep the government running."
US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy speaks on Capitol Hill on September 22. Photo: AP
President Joe Biden also blamed Republicans, who wanted to cut spending even more than the deal reached in June. The deal temporarily lifted the US government's borrowing ceiling until early 2025, after the US presidential election in November 2024.
A US government shutdown after September 30 seems certain, unless House Speaker Kevin McCarthy can convince the Republican right wing to pass a temporary funding measure while negotiations continue.
"Hopefully we can reach an agreement by September 26 to pass the budget bills," said Mr. McCarthy.
Mr McCarthy's statement means there are only five days left for members of the US Congress to resolve budget disagreements.
The disagreement over government funding is putting the United States at risk of disruptions in payments to the military, law enforcement, food safety and assistance programs, and passport and travel issues. This could have a negative impact on the US economy .
The US House and Senate may consider a short-term proposal to give lawmakers more time to negotiate.
The proposal would cut spending at most federal agencies and extend funding through October.
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