The Gateway Pundit has reported that House GOP sources have indicated that the vote on a continuing resolution (CR) to keep the government funded is likely to be postponed until midnight Saturday. Due to the legislative rules, the bill must sit for one day after being reviewed by the Rules Committee before it can be discussed on the House floor. This was confirmed by Rep. Cory Mills (R-FL), who emphasized the need for modifications to be made to the Trump-backed funding bill that had previously failed, all with the aim of reopening the government and addressing the needs of Americans. The deadline to avoid a government shutdown looms, with a critical cutoff set for Friday at 11:59 PM, creating urgency for lawmakers to reach an agreement.
If the House vote is indeed postponed until midnight, the result would be a government shutdown until the Senate approves the continuing resolution passed by the House. In a recent remark, former President Trump urged Republicans to push for any potential shutdown to occur before his inauguration on January 20, stating that such an occurrence should reflect the current Biden Administration’s governance rather than the incoming Trump Administration. He expressed his frustration with Democrats for their near-unanimous rejection of the CR, a move he perceived as neglecting key funding for disaster relief and agriculture programs, which they typically support.
In response to the failed funding bill vote, Vice President-elect JD Vance criticized House Democrats for what he characterized as prioritizing global censorship over essential government functions. This critique was specifically targeted at a previous lengthy continuing resolution that had included provisions for the Global Engagement Center, which has been contentious due to its implications on free speech. Meanwhile, sources mentioned that the legislative process would likely continue into the afternoon with further votes expected, although uncertainty remained regarding the timing and outcomes of these proceedings.
Plans for the continuing resolution indicate that House Republican leaders are expected to put forward three separate bills aimed at addressing government funding: a clean funding CR, a bill for disaster relief, and another related to aid for farmers. In addition, they are seeking to reach a preliminary agreement concerning spending cuts and issues surrounding the national debt limit for the upcoming year. The potential for a multi-faceted approach to legislation reflects the complexities and competing interests that characterize the current political landscape.
Further developments suggest that House Republicans are considering breaking down the funding bill into smaller components, allowing each part such as the continuing resolution, debt limit adjustments, agricultural assistance, and disaster relief to be voted on independently. This strategic move would provide more flexibility in garnering support for specific issues, as it would allow discrete parts to pass or fail based on their own merits and align with varying political priorities within the party and among lawmakers.
House Republican meetings have revealed discussions not only centered on the immediate resolution of the continuing funding crisis but also on long-term strategies for legislative agendas in the coming years. These discussions include considerations for future reconciliation bills, indicating a desire for a cohesive framework that can tackle both immediate and future economic challenges. The Gateway Pundit has promised to keep followers informed on ongoing developments regarding the continuing resolution battle and the potential implications of a government shutdown on the legislative landscape.