House Democrats made a last-minute push for their government funding proposal on Tuesday, only to see their efforts swiftly thwarted by Republicans. The proposal, a short-term extension of current federal funding levels known as a continuing resolution (CR), aims to carry funding through October 31. However, it comes with several policy riders that Republicans have labeled as non-starters.
With just hours remaining to prevent a government shutdown, the Democrats gathered on the House floor seeking unanimous consent to pass their bill. This tactic requires the approval of all House members, which one Republican could block. Representative Warren Davidson, R-Ohio, appeared poised to take that action, effectively derailing the Democrats’ plan.
During this critical session, House members shouted “Mr. Speaker” in an attempt to get the attention of their Republican counterpart, Representative Morgan Griffith of Virginia. Griffith, however, did not respond, leading to sparse chants of “shame on you” from the Democrats as the session concluded. This frustrated attempt drew attention to the power dynamics at play as the clock ticked toward the shutdown deadline.
According to constitutional rules, the House must conduct brief periods, called “pro forma” sessions, to maintain operational continuity. Even if there are no significant legislative matters to consider, these sessions serve as opportunities for brief speeches or to introduce legislation. However, during this pro forma session, Democrats could barely make their voices heard before it ended.
Earlier in the month, the House passed a Republican-led continuing resolution primarily along party lines, aimed at keeping government funding stable until November 21. This version of the spending bill received support only from Republicans, with exceptions like Representative Thomas Massie, who did not join his party. The plan omitted other controversial policy demands, apart from setting aside approximately $88 million for enhanced security, which garnered some bipartisan support.
The Democrats, feeling sidelined throughout the negotiations, are demanding significant concessions to support any funding bill. Their proposal includes extending pandemic-era Obamacare subsidies and reversing recent Medicaid cuts made by Republicans—a move they argue is necessary for safeguarding vulnerable populations. Additionally, they seek the restoration of federal funding to Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) and National Public Radio (NPR), which faced cuts earlier this year.
The tension escalated as Republicans, including prominent figures, accused Democrats of leveraging the funding discussions for partisan gain. They argue that the Democrats are creating unreasonable demands while holding federal operations hostage in the process.
As the House-passed continuing resolution moves to the Senate, it confronts new challenges. The legislation needs at least some Democratic support to reach the 60-vote threshold required to overcome a filibuster, underscoring the rift between the two parties. The stakes are significant; a failure to pass the funding measures by midnight could lead to a partial government shutdown.
The scene on the House floor reflects deeper issues within Washington. Negotiations over government funding have become a battleground for broader ideological differences. Each party is digging in on its positions, illustrating a reluctance to compromise even amid urgent timelines and the potential ramifications of a shutdown.
The stakes are high as lawmakers play a delicate game of brinkmanship, each aware of the potential fallout from a halted government. With the midnight deadline looming, the outcome remains uncertain, laying bare the challenges of securing bipartisan support in a deeply divided Congress.
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