As the day approaches when government funding officially runs out, it seems that House Republicans are still struggling to come to an agreement on how to sustain and reform the current system.
At stake is the future of several important government programs. Yet as the clock ticks closer to the looming shutdown, all that Congress can seem to agree on is that they are running out of time.
The looming government shutdown is concerning not only for individuals who depend on the federally-funded programs, but other aspects of society. The shutdown would affect transportation, agriculture, food safety, national parks, and the military. The ripple effect of stopping these essential services could have devastating economic consequences.
The issue has been building over the past few weeks but has now reached a boiling point. The White House and Democrats in Congress have been calling for Republican lawmakers to concede to their demands in order for the government to remain open, but Republicans have been unwilling to budge. The inability to compromise has made reaching a deal impossible.
Today, House Republicans have tried and failed to pass a stopgap measure that would fund the government until February without making any changes to current policies and regulations. This has, unsurprisingly, been met with opposition from Democrats, and the measure was eventually voted down.
The onus now falls on House majority leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) to take the lead in negotiations and attempt to broker a deal. However, at this point, it is becoming increasingly unlikely that a deal can be reached before the government’s funding runs out.
If the government does shut down, it will be the third time in less than two years. Last year, a three-day long shutdown forced both sides of the aisle to reach a deal in order to end the stalemate. This year, though, with the two sides unable to compromise, a lasting deal seems unlikely.
House Republicans are running out of time to come to an agreement before the looming shutdown. If the government does indeed have to close, the consequences could be dire. It is vital that lawmakers come to an understanding before it is too late.
