Congressional gridlock persists, as upcoming shutdown looms amidst deepening partisan divide
The United States Congress is gearing up for a crucial meeting on September 2, with the looming threat of a potential government shutdown hanging over the proceedings. The key figures in heading off this potential crisis are Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and President Trump.
Currently, the odds of a government shutdown are less than 50%, but partisan disagreements and Trump's tough bargaining make a year-long deal in September unlikely. This means that the shutdown threat has been kicked down the road, with the new fiscal year starting on October 1.
In July, the GOP successfully passed a rescissions bill that clawed back $9 billion in funding previously OK'd by Congress. The White House has hinted at enacting another rescissions bill, a move that Democrats fear could undo any spending deals they broker with their GOP counterparts.
The Democrats hold a key bargaining chip in the negotiations, as 60 votes are required to pass annual appropriations bills in the Senate. This means that the Democrats are needed to keep the government open. However, many Democrats are still furious at their party for letting Republicans dictate the funding package last spring.
Many Republicans are uncomfortable with the concept of rescissions on the grounds that Congress, not the White House, holds the power of the purse. Tensions between Schumer and Trump appear to be escalating, with the two leaders not speaking directly in months.
The agreement will keep nondefense 2026 spending equal to or less than this year's level, with exceptions for increased border security funding. A deal is possible if Schumer and Trump break the ice, but Trump would likely get the better of it.
Democratic lawmakers feel they are between a rock and a hard place in the negotiations. Supporting a Republican funding bill without Dem input could enrage their base, while opposing such a bill could trigger a shutdown and potentially get them blamed by voters.
If a shutdown occurs, many agencies will be affected. In 2021, the Democratic leader of the majority party in Congress who would have been able to work with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to avoid a potential government shutdown in September 2021 was Steny Hoyer, the House Majority Leader.
As the September 2 meeting approaches, all eyes will be on Schumer and Trump as they navigate the tricky negotiations to avoid a potential government shutdown.
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