Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
(Image source: The White House / Pete Souza)
The House has approved a stopgap spending bill 230 to 189 to fund the federal government
through mid-December.
But it's facing some opposition in the Senate because it includes a provision to defund
President Obama's health care law, the Affordable Care Act. (Via ABC)
The showdown is to some extent between Republicans and Republicans. Democrats have been against
this from the beginning.
"Some Republicans are actually claiming it's bipartisan because two Democrats actually
did vote for the continuing resolution to vote to keep government open and defund Obamacare,
but one Republican also voted against the measure itself." (Via Fox News)
CBS News White House correspondent Mark Knoller tweeted, "Look for Pres Obama to cite the
House bill as an example of partisan politics that could lead to a government shutdown."
(Via Twitter / @markknoller)
This sets up yet another bitter fiscal showdown just 10 days before much of the federal government
is set to run out of money.
"When all is said and done, they may pass a stopgap measure to keep the government operating.
But at the same time, there is a chance, maybe even a good chance, that there will be a government
shutdown." (Via CNN)
Without the stopgap spending bill, large parts of the federal government could shut down
on Oct. 1 — and the United States' first default on federal debt could follow just
weeks after.
The Senate is expected to begin debate on the spending bill, where Senate Majority Leader
Harry Reid will cut out the Obamacare provision and send it back to the House. (Via YouTube
/ SenateDemocrats)
USA Today reports if the Senate runs out the clock on the time allowed for debate, a vote
could come as late as next weekend. That gives the House GOP leaders less than two days to
respond.
But whenever it does get sent back from the Senate, House Republicans will have three
options for what to do with the spending bill: reject it, pass it or send it right back to
the Senate. (Via C-SPAN)
Apparently, if the government does end up shutting down, most Americans won't feel its
effects right away.
Essential government programs like Social Security, Medicare and mail delivery would
all operate normally. But national parks and museums would be closed, and agency operations
would slow or stop altogether. (Via ABC)
Even though a shutdown might not cause a lot of problems for the average American right
away, it will almost definitely spell trouble politically.
The last time the government shut down during the Clinton administration, it resulted in
public backlash against the GOP. (Via CBS)