As negotiations unfold in the US House to secure a government funding bill, GOP Senators find themselves in a state of uncertainty as the shutdown deadline approaches.
Senator Susan Collins expressed her confusion, stating that she is unsure about the current status of Republicans' efforts to fund the government. She mentioned that House Republicans have yet to reach a consensus, with members engaging in discussions with House Speaker Mike Johnson to address the demands of President-elect Donald Trump.
Senator Rand Paul criticized Trump's proposal to eliminate or raise the debt ceiling, labeling it as 'fiscally irresponsible.' Following a meeting with JD Vance, Paul revealed that there are talks of either completely removing the debt ceiling or temporarily suspending it, a move that lacks sufficient GOP support according to Paul.
Senator John Cornyn played down the possibility of a government shutdown, referring to it as mere political theatrics before lawmakers find a resolution to avoid such an outcome. He suggested that it might be beneficial to consider eliminating the debt ceiling altogether, citing the ineffectiveness of past efforts to control spending during debt ceiling negotiations.
Senator John Kennedy proposed the creation of a new short-term funding bill by top Republican leadership. He emphasized the need for President-elect Trump to intervene by visiting Washington to assist Speaker Johnson in rallying GOP lawmakers and securing their backing.
