As the September 30 deadline to avoid a government shutdown approaches, Senate Republicans are accusing Democrats of hypocrisy for rejecting the GOP’s short-term spending plan. The political standoff is raising fears of a shutdown at the end of the month.
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GOP Pushes Stopgap Funding Bill
On Tuesday, House Republicans introduced a seven-week continuing resolution to keep the government funded temporarily. GOP lawmakers argue their proposal is a “clean” measure designed to avoid unnecessary spending increases or partisan riders.
However, Senate Democrats have made it clear they will not support the bill, heightening the risk of a government shutdown.
Republicans Call Out Democrats’ Opposition
Senate Minority Whip John Thune (R-S.D.) accused Democrats of political gamesmanship, noting that they supported 13 similar stopgap measures under President Biden.
“Ninety-nine percent of Democrats voted for all those 13,” Thune said. “This new protest is about Trump Derangement Syndrome and a refusal to give anything to this President.”
Republicans have labeled the potential funding lapse a “Schumer Shutdown”, blaming Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) for refusing to engage in bipartisan negotiations.
Democrats Push Back
Schumer rejected the GOP plan, criticizing House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) for drafting the bill without Democratic input.
“Johnson wrote his bill with no Democratic input, and that’s why Republicans are steering us toward a shutdown. We don’t want it,” Schumer said.
Democrats also argue that the GOP proposal fails to include key provisions, such as:
- Obamacare premium subsidies, set to expire in December
- Disaster relief funding, which Democrats say is critical
Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) added that Democrats will not support a plan written unilaterally by Republicans, especially under pressure from former President Trump, who has urged the GOP to reject bipartisan negotiations.
GOP Divisions Emerge
Not all Republicans are backing the measure.
- Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) slammed the bill for maintaining “Biden-era spending levels,” saying, “Any Republican who votes for this should apologize to Biden.”
- Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) criticized Congress for relying on stopgap bills instead of passing a full-year budget, calling it a failure of leadership.
What Happens Next?
With just days until the September 30 deadline, partisan tensions remain high. Unless leaders reach a bipartisan agreement, the U.S. could face its first partial government shutdown since 2019.
Conclusion
The funding fight underscores deep partisan divides in Congress, with Republicans branding the impasse a “Schumer Shutdown” and Democrats accusing the GOP of legislating under Trump’s shadow. As the deadline looms, Americans are bracing for the potential impact of a government shutdown.