WASHINGTON, D.C. (WZMQ 19 News) — The clock is ticking and Washington is once again playing chicken with a government shutdown.
There’s just over one week before funding lapses and the federal government shuts down — if there’s no deal. Also fueling shutdown concerns, is the absence of lawmakers this week.
Members of Congress departed Friday after a Republican funding proposal passed the House but failed in the Senate. Now, only eight days remain for Congress to approve yet another short-term funding plan — known as a continuing resolution, or “C.R.” — that extends current funding levels and allows more time to draft new, comprehensive spending measures.
With no real progress, the blaming has already begun.
“Bottom line is, it’s all on the Democrats,” said Rep. Jack Bergman (R-Mich.). “This is their only way to even begin to think about, ‘How can I get some control back? I’ll shut down the government and blame it on the Republicans.’”
“Republicans want to keep the government open and the Democrats, based on what I believe is the Schumer strategy, is a shutdown strategy — it is their goal to shut down the government,” said Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY), the Senate majority whip.
Republicans say their proposal is a standard, clean C.R. — the same that’s been used by Congress several times to kick the can down the road.
Democrats disagree and are leaning on their one source of leverage — the Senate filibuster. Even with a majority, Republicans don’t have the 60 votes needed to advance the legislation in the Senate.
Democrats are demanding extensions for Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits and a rollback of Medicaid cuts from the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” Democrats accuse Republicans of refusing to allow bipartisan negotiations.
“It’s the Republicans shutting down the government,” said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY.). “First, these issues are very important to the American people. Health care was decimated. People are losing their health care. Hospitals are closing. People are losing their jobs. It’s outrageous and the American people can’t stand it.”
But with the halls of Congress quiet this week, and no meetings nor negotiations, experts say all signs are pointing toward a shutdown.
“I think we get one. And then I think it has to happen for at least a week or two before they get together and are able to do something,” said Dr. Todd Belt, professor and director of the Political Management Master’s Program at George Washington University.
Belt said it’s a politically-risky move for Democrats. “It looks like it’s up to the Democrats to decide if they want to force a shutdown, and they are doing that,” he said. “Usually, the blame falls on whoever is trying to force the shutdown, and this time it looks like the Democrats- they may be overplaying their hand a bit here.”
After last year’s elections, Republicans won majorities in both chambers. Dr. Belt said trying to undo what’s been accomplished by the party in power might not sit well with some voters. “It looks like it’s just sour grapes to try to undo what the Republicans had passed earlier on,” Belt said.
The ACA/Obamacare subsidies, which help over 20 million enrollees afford their premiums, have become a focal point to the funding battle. Some Republicans are reportedly open to a temporary extension of the tax credits via separate legislation as opposed to combining it into the C.R. However, a permanent extension — which is what Democrats are hoping for — is unpopular among the GOP.
In March — when the last continuing resolution was passed — Senate Minority Leader Schumer faced criticism for working with Republicans to pass a short-term spending measure and avert a shutdown.
“I think that because he took so much flak that time, he’s trying to at least be a little bit more in command of the situation,” Belt said.
If Congress doesn’t strike a deal by midnight Sept. 30, the lights dim in Washington and federal workers across the country could be impacted.
