A partial government shutdown is set to commence at midnight ET on Friday as the Senate has been unable to reach an agreement on government funding legislation before a crucial deadline. Senators and aides from both parties have acknowledged the impending shutdown if a resolution is not reached over the weekend before the work week begins.
The failure to send the legislation to President Joe Biden's desk before the deadline highlights the challenges faced by the US legislative branch in fulfilling its basic responsibilities.
It remains uncertain when the Senate will resolve its issues and pass the legislation. A vote to break a filibuster on the package is expected early Sunday afternoon, but the exact timing is yet to be determined.
Following the House's passage of the legislation, Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene filed a motion to oust the Speaker of the House. The bill addresses critical government operations across various departments, including Defense, Homeland Security, Labor, and Education.
The $1.2 trillion government funding package, unveiled just before 3 a.m. ET on Thursday, spans over 1,000 pages. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer emphasized the urgency of passing the package to avoid a shutdown.
Congress recently passed a package of six bills in March to fund government agencies for the remainder of the fiscal year. The current funding process has been prolonged due to partisan disagreements and leadership changes in the House.
House Speaker Johnson, who succeeded Kevin McCarthy, faces challenges within his party over the funding fight. The bill has received criticism from both progressive and far-right members of the House.
Despite the tensions, lawmakers must secure funding to conclude the federal funding process. The ongoing debate over the bill's provisions has sparked divisions within the GOP, with uncertainties surrounding Johnson's speakership.
The previous six-bill funding package, signed into law by President Biden, covered various government departments and programs. The evolving situation in Congress underscores the complexities of reaching consensus on critical funding legislation.
