Congress returned from its holiday break this week, and with less than two weeks to go, lawmakers are facing the familiar specter of a government shutdown if they fail to reach an agreement on spending levels. The deadline is approaching, and the pressure is on.
House Speaker Mike Johnson managed to prevent a government shutdown in November by successfully passing a short-term budget extension. Now, he faces the challenge of doing so again. However, it's doubtful that he will be able to secure a deal before the January deadline. Johnson will likely face resistance from the right-wing of his caucus, similar to what drove former Speaker Kevin McCarthy out of office. McCarthy had been forced to step down after striking a deal with Democrats to keep the government running.
If Johnson wants to secure a funding deal, he may have to rely on Democratic votes, which would undoubtedly lead to backlash from those on the right. With only one bill passed under Johnson's leadership, it has been difficult to get any deals through this Congress. The one bill that was passed sets up two deadlines in January and February for votes on keeping the government open. The challenges for Johnson are mounting.
Aside from the looming shutdown, there are also other pressing issues on the agenda. Funding packages for Ukraine, Israel, and the southern border are up for discussion. These aid packages are related to national security concerns and aim to support Ukraine's efforts against Russian aggression, assist Israel in its conflict in Gaza, and address border security issues in the US.
While there is general support for each of these aid packages, Republican lawmakers are seeking changes to border policies, which is holding up the funding for Ukraine and Israel. Talks have been ongoing, but it is unclear exactly what is being discussed. Republicans are looking to reinstate some of the border policies enacted during the Trump administration, which could lead to expelling people more quickly and limiting migrant entry into the country.
Amidst all these challenges, House Republicans have also announced their intention to ramp up impeachment inquiries into President Biden in the coming year. The investigations are ongoing, with witnesses being called in and subpoenas issued for more information. However, thus far, no definitive evidence has been presented to support impeachment. Moderate Republicans in swing districts have stated that they have not seen enough evidence to support such measures. The question remains whether Republicans will be able to present compelling evidence to convince the moderate wing of their party to support the push for impeachment.
As Congress reconvenes, all eyes are on the negotiations to avoid a government shutdown, the discussions surrounding funding for Ukraine, Israel, and the southern border, as well as the developing impeachment inquiry into President Biden. The challenges are significant, and time is running out for lawmakers to find common ground and make progress on these pressing issues.
