Some federal lawmakers are warning a government shutdown is increasingly likely as House members spar over a fiscal year 2024 spending plan—an impasse that could have both immediate consequences for the daily lives of Americans and long-term impacts on federal spending.
Congress must pass, and the president must sign, 12 annual appropriations bills that make up the federal budget before it expires at the end of the 2023 fiscal year on September 30 or approve what’s known as a continuing resolution that would extend the current budget and continue funding the government until lawmakers can reach an agreement.
With a slim 222-213 majority in the House, Republicans largely control the budget talks and can not afford to lose more than five votes in order to pass legislation.
The right wing House Freedom Caucus, made up of about three dozen members, is leveraging in the budget talks by threatening to vote against a short-term funding bill unless leadership caves to their demands, which include limiting funding for Ukraine and addressing their claims that federal law enforcement agencies are politically motivated, among other provisions.
Read more at Forbes.com
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