Mitch McConnell: Government shutdown ‘has always been a loss for Republicans’

At his weekly press conference McConnell has made it clear that he is “not in favor of shutting down the government.”

“I’ve seen some of them over the years. “They have never led to policy change and have always been political failures for Republicans,” McConnell said.

McConnell’s comments come as Speaker Kevin McCarthy and House Republicans struggle to pass a short-term government budget bill that would keep the government open until Oct. 31, amid opposition from hardline conservatives.

But even if the funding measure, planned to allow time for negotiations to continue, passes the House, it is loaded with conservative policy provisions that would make it likely to fail in the Senate.

With less than two weeks left to take action, a government shutdown at the end of the month is increasingly likely.

When asked about the House bill to keep the government funded for another month, McConnell said he supports “what the president is trying to accomplish because he’s trying to avoid a government shutdown.”referring to McCarthy.

McConnell declined to make predictions about what the House will do. “What I really think is vital for the American people is that the government doesn’t shut down? But I can’t predict exactly how it will end. “We will see what the House does and act accordingly.”

Chaos in the hall

Hardline Republican lawmakers who are unwilling to make the compromises needed to pass funding bills in the House are even less willing to pass measures that could become law.

On Tuesday it was a dramatic sign of defeat. House Republicans even voted against their own defense bill. In a stormy afternoon vote, the generally popular bill was defeated by a 212-214 vote after five far-right conservatives helped defeat it because they wanted to see a comprehensive federal budget plan from McCarthy.

And they are threatening to overthrow President Kevin McCarthy if their demands are not met.

When asked was the short-term funding bill dead after the day’s setbacksa frustrated McCarthy admitted that “it makes it harder.”

“Think about what you are voting against,” the spokesman said. “Are they voting against the bill at all? The idea of ​​voting against introducing a standard? “It doesn’t make sense to me.”

Congress has until Sept. 30 to pass broader government funding legislation. and bring the bill to President Joe Biden’s desk to become law.

Otherwise, The United States will face widespread federal government shutdowns and disruptions. Plans to vote on measures such as a defense budget bill to advance an overall spending bill were rejected by the House on Tuesday.

The National Governors Association released a letter to congressional leaders saying They hope Congress can complete appropriations before then. and finalize and pass the fiscal year 2024 spending package.

“Every day, governors must work with our state legislatures, local governments and stakeholders in our states to find common ground, and we believe Congress and the President must do the same. We ask Congress to negotiate in good faith to fund the federal government. “States and territories succeed when there is confidence and stability in federal resources.”