United States: Top US Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer said Thursday that he was taking the first procedural step toward approving a stopgap funding package to avoid a partial government shutdown that could begin late next week, as House Republicans faced another potential revolt overspending.
House Republicans in Disarray
Schumer’s move came as Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson faced opposition from inside his own tiny majority over a compromise negotiated with Schumer on a $1.59 trillion top-line spending figure for government agencies in the fiscal year beginning October 1. On Thursday, Johnson held private meetings with some of the hardline Republicans who have been pushing for deeper spending cuts.
“I’ve made no commitment. So, if you hear otherwise, it’s just simply not true,” Johnson said in response to questions over whether he was going to renegotiate his agreement with Schumer.
Uncertain Path Forward
Republican Representative Scott Perry, a senior member of the hardline House Freedom Caucus, previously told reporters that Johnson is open to adjustments, and members are working on language.
“Sure he is. Why wouldn’t he be?” Perry said before acknowledging that Johnson had not given the rebel Republicans any commitment.
Senate Timeline and Agency Funding Concerns
Schumer stated that when the Senate returns from its Martin Luther King Jr. holiday recess on Tuesday, voting on it might begin. Some huge federal agencies, such as the Departments of Agriculture and Transportation, have little time left before their funding runs out on January 19. He did not say how long the stopgap bill would be in effect.
Echoes of Past Challenges
Last October, the United States was on the verge of a partial government shutdown due to opposition from the hardline House Republicans who removed Johnson’s predecessor, Kevin McCarthy, over a bipartisan stopgap budget agreement with Chuck Schumer.
“There are those on the hard right over in the House who think they can bully their colleagues and the House and the country into a shutdown,” Schumer said.
Johnson will attempt to resume his party’s legislative machinery on Thursday, a day after a dozen hardline Republicans shut down the chamber’s legislative work to protest the bipartisan budget agreement.