Washington, D.C. – Key factions within the House Republican Conference have reached a tentative agreement that could avert a government shutdown slated for the end of this month.
According to multiple GOP sources, the deal, which pairs temporary government funding with a conservative border security measure, has been brokered between the far-right Freedom Caucus and the center-right Main Street Caucus.
House Republican Factions Forge Tentative Accord to Prevent Shutdown
House Republicans have released a bill reflecting this tentative agreement, providing funding to keep the government operational until October 31.
However, it comes with significant cuts to domestic spending. This compromise is expected to clear the path for the passage of a defense spending bill this week, resolving a standoff between Republican leadership and the far-right faction.
If the legislation secures approval in the House, it would address one internal challenge for Speaker Kevin McCarthy but potentially give rise to another.
The bill’s contentious immigration provisions and reduced spending levels make it unlikely to pass the Democratic-led Senate.
Consequently, it could do more to expedite a government shutdown by the end of September than to prevent one.
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Border Security Legislation Faces Senate Limbo: Key Provisions Omitted
The legislation notably incorporates most of the Secure the Border Act of 2023, a collection of immigration provisions favored by GOP hardliners.
However, it excludes provisions mandating the use of E-Verify for employers to verify immigration status, which had been a significant priority for members of the Freedom Caucus.
Although this legislation cleared the House in May, it has yet to languish without action in the Senate.
It is worth mentioning that the temporary government funding bill does not address critical priorities for the White House and numerous lawmakers from both parties, such as Ukraine aid and disaster relief.
Several Republican lawmakers, including Reps, have endorsed the bill. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.), Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.), Scott Perry (R-Pa.), Stephanie Bice (R-Okla.), Chip Roy (R-Texas), and Kelly Armstrong (R-N.D.).
In response to these developments, House Republicans, holding a slim majority, convened for a critical call on Sunday at 8 p.m. ET to deliberate on the measure.
Earlier in the day, Speaker Kevin McCarthy appealed to his colleagues during an appearance on Fox News, urging them to take decisive action to avert a government shutdown.
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