Republican leaders, led by Speaker Kevin McCarthy, are promoting a short-term spending plan that includes conservative priorities such as funding cuts and stricter border policies. However, its passage in the House is uncertain given the GOP’s narrow majority, and even if it passes, it won’t prevent a government shutdown looming in two weeks.
The proposal aims to extend the funding deadline to October 31 and includes across-the-board cuts to domestic spending, except for defense, veterans’ spending, and disaster aid. It would also allow Republicans to pass a full-year defense spending bill, a vote previously blocked by ultraconservatives, scheduled for Wednesday.
The plan’s main attraction is the inclusion of the GOP’s key border policy bill, H.R. 2, without the contentious provision related to making “e-verify” mandatory.
However, several House Republicans, including Reps. Ralph Norman, Cory Mills, Dan Bishop, Tim Burchett, Matt Rosendale, and Matt Gaetz, have already indicated they may not support it. The plan is unlikely to pass in the Democratic-controlled Senate.
Speaker McCarthy hopes the plan will unite the fractured House GOP as the September 30 shutdown deadline approaches. Nevertheless, its success remains uncertain.
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