The Republican-controlled House and Democratic-led Senate are embarking on a clash over spending, which could potentially lead to a government shutdown and automatic spending cuts in 2025. Far-right Republicans, whose support is needed to fund the government, are demanding deeper cuts than what President Biden and Speaker Kevin McCarthy previously agreed upon. However, these reductions are unlikely to pass in the Senate. The looming stalemate adds complexity to an already challenging process of passing individual spending bills to fund the entire government in an orderly manner. Failure to do so would trigger across-the-board spending cuts in 2025, an outcome both parties want to avoid.
The clash between the two chambers began when House appropriators proposed funding federal agencies below the agreed-upon levels. Democrats objected, arguing that this would disrupt the economy and hinder the functioning of the government. Senator Patty Murray, the Democratic chairwoman of the Appropriations Committee, expressed her intent to adhere to the previously passed legislation and criticized House Republicans for causing chaos. She noted that many right-wing lawmakers typically vote against government spending bills anyway.
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy blindsided Democrats by setting lower spending levels for the 12 annual spending bills, disregarding the recent bipartisan budget agreement. This move, driven by the demands of the Freedom Caucus, was met with opposition from Democrats who accused Republicans of reneging on the compromise. Representative Rosa DeLauro, the top Democrat on the Appropriations Committee, criticized the decision. However, Representative Kay Granger, the Republican chairwoman of the committee, argued that using the lower number would reallocate government spending in line with Republican priorities.
These divergent approaches in the two chambers will likely hinder the passage of spending bills. Failure to pass and reconcile the House and Senate bills by October 1 could result in a government shutdown. Additionally, if the individual bills are not approved by year-end, a 1 percent automatic cut would be implemented, adversely affecting the Pentagon and U.S. support for Ukraine’s military.
Despite the challenges, those responsible for the spending bills in both chambers believe they must move forward. The four female leaders of the appropriations committees, aiming to avoid last-minute deals, expressed their commitment to bringing the bills to the floor under “regular order.” Senate leaders Senator Chuck Schumer and Senator Mitch McConnell pledged to facilitate floor consideration of the spending bills in line with the debt limit agreement.
Addressing lawmakers’ concerns about being sidelined, the committee heads emphasized the importance of timely completion of spending bills. They aim to avoid a year-end omnibus package that excludes input from rank-and-file members. Meeting the schedule for completing the spending bills will be challenging due to the initial disagreement between the House and Senate. However, surrendering is not an option.
Senator Patty Murray remains determined to push the bills through the Senate, acknowledging that the current turmoil may subside as the deadlines for action approach. Despite the uncertainty, she advised against making predictions about the situation three months from now, emphasizing the long road ahead.
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