House Republicans are split on whether to support extending government funding in the short term as Congress races toward the first of two shutdown deadlines next week.
”[Jan. 19] It's not a reasonable goal. We need to do something by the 18th,” Rep. Steve Womack (R-Ark.), ranking member of the House Appropriations Committee, told reporters Wednesday.
He echoed earlier comments from Democratic Senate Minority Whip John Thune, who proposed a March deadline for such an extension, known as a continuing resolution (CR).
“Some kind of short-term measures will be necessary. Perhaps, since I am leaning towards the Thun orthodoxy, we will have to move it to March at some point to give us enough time. But , you know, I knew this was going to happen,'' Womack said.
Meanwhile, Rep. Brian Mast, R-Florida, suggested Wednesday that Republicans should use the government shutdown as leverage to pass Republican policy goals.
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“Shutdowns require people to be willing to take risks, especially for something that is in crisis,” Mast said. “If we are not working to ensure the security of our country and are willing to shut down the government for a period of time to partially protect our country’s security, then we are not fighting the right fight. I don't think so.”
Less than halfway through the first month of 2024, tensions are already running high in the House of Commons.
On Wednesday, a group of 12 conservatives held a protest vote, breaking an otherwise sleepy procedural measure with a sharp attack on House Republican leadership over its handling of government funding negotiations.
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This paralyzed the House floor, canceling out the rest of the day's votes and raising fears that Congress would not be able to reach a deal by next Friday.
An earlier short-term funding deal passed by Mr. Johnson and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York had separate new deadlines for reaching a spending agreement for fiscal year 2024. Some agencies are receiving funding until January 19th, while others have until February 2nd.
Rep. Steve Womack, chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government, said a short-term continuing resolution is needed, possibly through March. (Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
However, there is another timing element floating around overhead. Due to negotiations between Schumer and former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, a year-long CR would trigger a 1% cut in government funding in April, something hardline Republicans prefer over the current spending deal. However, the Democratic Party is against it.
Such a conflict could very well lead to a government shutdown.
Rep. French Hill (R-Ark.), the other senior member of the Appropriations Committee, suggested that a short-term CR would be preferable to a shutdown.
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“I think we should work to avoid a government shutdown. Republicans are not helped by a government shutdown. The country is not helped by a government shutdown, and taxpayers are hurt by a government shutdown.” said.
But Republican Research Committee Chairman Kevin Hahn (R-Okla.) said a “short-term” shutdown could even help build consensus in Congress.
Rep. Kevin Hahn, chairman of the Republican study committee, suggested that a brief shutdown could help nudge Congress towards a deal. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
“We do a really good job when we know we have to come out of a shutdown,” Hahn said. “If you're talking about working on some policies and working on fundraising for a few days, then yes, I think it's better than CR.”
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Senate leaders have already acknowledged that a short-term CR will likely be necessary. Mr Johnson did not commit, but did not rule out the possibility at Wednesday's press conference.
“I'm not ruling out anything, I'm going to work on anything other than getting these spending done, and I think we can do that. And I think we can all do our best,” Johnson told reporters. I'm working on it,” he said.
FOX News' Brianna O'Neal contributed to this report.
