Last-minute effort to avoid US government shutdown

SGGP October 2, 2023 06:03

On September 30 (local time), after the US Senate passed a temporary budget bill, US President Joe Biden signed this law into law to prevent the risk of a partial government shutdown before 0:00 on October 1.

The bill, introduced by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, would fund the government for 45 days but would not include additional aid to Ukraine.

Democrats described the outcome as a victory. “The radical MAGA Republicans lost, the American people won,” said House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, referring to former President Donald Trump’s signature “Make America Great Again” slogan. “I am relieved that House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has caved and finally allowed a bipartisan vote to stop Republicans’ disastrous attempt to rush into a government shutdown,” said Democratic Representative Don Beyer.

US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy speaks to the press after the temporary bill was passed in Washington, September 30. Photo: REUTERS

Republicans are deeply divided over the size of the national debt. A small group of conservative lawmakers on the right have tried to block passage of both the budget bill and House Speaker McCarthy’s plan to keep the government running. House Speaker McCarthy dismissed concerns that Republican hardliners might try to undermine his leadership: “If I have to risk my job to stand up for the American public, I will do it.”

Votes on budget bills in the US Congress often reach a deadlock as both the Democratic and Republican parties try to take advantage of the risk of a government shutdown to pressure the other side to make concessions. However, the two sides still reach a compromise at the last minute to maintain government operations.

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/no-luc-phut-chot-tranh-dong-cua-chinh-phu-my-post707988.html