McCarthy Kills Bipartisan Senate Bill to Avert Shutdown
www.thedailybeast.com
The stopgap measure, which included continued aid for Ukraine, would have faced stiff opposition from hardliners in the House.

Just four days out from a government shutdown, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has declared a bipartisan Senate stopgap measure dead on arrival.

Senators, having apparently lost faith in McCarthy’s ability to stave off a shutdown, negotiated a bill late Tuesday night that funds the government until Nov. 17 and includes $12 billion in aid and disaster relief for Ukraine. It’s expected to be voted on by the end of the week before being sent over to the House, and is intended to buy lawmakers more time to hash out a longer-term deal, Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said.

But, according to Punchbowl News, McCarthy said in a closed-door meeting on Wednesday morning that he wouldn’t take up a bill that includes Ukraine funding but no border security measures. “I don’t see the support in the House,” he reportedly said.

Aid for Ukraine has been one of several sticking points for ultraconservative hardliners in the House who have repeatedly sabotaged McCarthy’s efforts to get spending bills passed.

  • TechyDad
    9•1 year ago

    There is a way to bypass McCarthy via a discharge petition. Get enough House members to sign it (218, I believe) and the bill goes to the floor whether McCarthy wants it to or not.

    The downside is that this takes time to accomplish (for various reasons). I think the Democrats are already starting that as a backup, but it won’t be done before the government shuts down.

    Without the discharge petition, the only way the House can vote on a bill is if McCarthy says they can. And the only way McCarthy will say they can is if the Freedom Caucus approves it.