In a dramatic turn of events, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has brought a continuing resolution (CR) to the floor, despite threats from his top opponent, Rep. Matt Gaetz, to overthrow him if he did so. Gaetz, a Republican from Florida, has long been a vocal critic of McCarthy and has been pushing for his removal from the speakership. Now, all eyes are on Gaetz to see if he will follow through with his threat.[0]
Gaetz, who has deeper reasons for wanting McCarthy gone than just a commitment to rigid budgeting processes, is likely to make a move.[1] He may have even tried to introduce a resolution to vacate the speakership before being conveniently unseen as the House was gaveled into adjournment.[1] He could have Republican allies who would support his efforts.[1] Ultimately, it will depend on how House Democrats vote on the matter.[1]
McCarthy, in a surprising move, announced that he would bring the 45-day CR to the floor, hoping for bipartisan support and challenging Gaetz and other conservative detractors to try to remove him. However, McCarthy's attempts to placate his far-right allies have been unsuccessful. Gaetz and his friends have made it clear that they will not support a continuing resolution to give Congress more time to negotiate.[2] McCarthy tried to pass individual budget bills throughout the week, but that strategy also failed.[2] On top of all this, the House Oversight Committee held an impeachment hearing, which McCarthy had authorized, further complicating his position.[2]
The Senate, on the other hand, passed a bipartisan stopgap bill to extend government funding just hours before the shutdown deadline.[3] This bill, which will keep the government funded for 45 days, received significant support from both Republicans and Democrats.[4] The Senate's actions put even more pressure on McCarthy to find a solution.[5]
McCarthy's decision to bring the CR to the floor could have consequences for his speakership.[6] His willingness to work with Democrats and move away from the hardline stance of his party's far-right members may exacerbate their desire to remove him from leadership.[7] Gaetz and others have threatened to oust McCarthy if he doesn't adhere to their demands, and his recent actions could provide them with the ammunition they need to make their move.
Now, the bill heads to the Senate for a vote, which is expected to pass with bipartisan support. If it does, it will buy lawmakers six more weeks to negotiate a longer-term spending agreement.[8] However, the compromise bill does not include additional military aid for Ukraine, a provision that Democrats had been pushing for.[9] Despite this, McCarthy was able to secure enough support from both Republicans and Democrats to pass the bill in the House.
The passage of the bill was not without its challenges. Democrats initially struggled with how to respond to McCarthy's offer.[1] They insisted on having time to review the 71-page bill, while McCarthy wanted to vote on it quickly.[1] Democrats used procedural tactics and lengthy speeches to stall the process and buy themselves more time.[1] Eventually, the bill passed with overwhelming bipartisan support.[10]
The situation leading up to the passage of the bill was tense and uncertain. McCarthy had faced opposition from his own party's far-right members, who wanted more drastic spending cuts and border security reforms. Some of these members had threatened to remove McCarthy from his speakership position if he didn't adhere to their demands.[5] McCarthy's decision to work with Democrats and bring the CR to the floor was a strategic move to avert a government shutdown, but it also put his leadership position at risk.
As the bill now moves to the Senate, McCarthy's fate as Speaker remains uncertain. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether his decision to work with Democrats will ultimately lead to his removal from leadership. The tensions within the Republican Party and the ongoing negotiations over government funding will continue to be a major point of contention. Only time will tell how this high-stakes political battle will unfold.
0. “House passes 45-day funding bill, likely avoiding a government shutdown” NBC News, 30 Sep. 2023, https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/government-shutdown-saturday-rcna118201
1. “Government shutdown update: Why Kevin McCarthy finally worked with the Democrats.” Slate, 1 Oct. 2023, https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2023/09/government-shutdown-update-2023.html
2. “You Made Your Bed, My Kevin. Now Toss and Turn in It.” The Nation, 29 Sep. 2023, https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/government-shutdown-kevin-mccarthy/
3. “Senate passes stopgap measure in 88-9 vote, averting shutdown with three hours to spare” Fox News, 1 Oct. 2023, https://www.foxnews.com/politics/senate-vote-stopgap-funding-bill-passed-house-avert-possible-shutdown
4. “Democrats Join McCarthy In Celebrating Budget Stopgap—And Taunting MAGA Wing” Forbes, 30 Sep. 2023, https://www.forbes.com/sites/brianbushard/2023/09/30/democrats-join-mccarthy-in-celebrating-budget-stopgap-and-taunting-maga-wing/
5. “Congress averts shutdown with a 45-day stopgap funding bill” GovExec.com, 1 Oct. 2023, https://www.govexec.com/management/2023/09/congress-averts-shutdown-45-day-stopgap-funding-bill/390817
6. “‘It is a surrender': Why McCarthy reversed with his survival uncertain” POLITICO, 30 Sep. 2023, https://www.politico.com/news/2023/09/30/kevin-mccarthy-government-shutdown-deal-00119290
7. “US House passes stopgap measure to avert government shutdown” Al Jazeera English, 1 Oct. 2023, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/9/30/us-house-passes-stopgap-measure-to-avert-government-shutdown
8. “Congress Averts Calamitous Shutdown With Spending Bill That Snubs Ukraine” The Daily Beast, 1 Oct. 2023, https://www.thedailybeast.com/republicans-mull-suspending-rules-to-avert-government-shutdown-cnn
9. “How did Congress avoid a shutdown, and what happens now?” Vox.com, 1 Oct. 2023, https://www.vox.com/politics/2023/9/30/23897597/shutdown-congress-kevin-mccarthy-ukraine
10. “Congress passes stopgap bill to avert shutdown ahead of midnight deadline” CNN, 1 Oct. 2023, https://www.cnn.com/2023/09/30/politics/us-government-shutdown-latest/index.html
