Republicans in the US failed to approve a spending cut proposal on Thursday, raising the possibility of a government shutdown at midnight on Friday.
While the Grand Old Party in Congress made a third attempt on Friday, hours before the deadline, they still have no plans to keep it open. However, reports suggest that Speaker Mike Johnson and other Republican leaders have proposed extending funding through March and raising the debt ceiling after Donald Trump takes office, in exchange for significant spending cuts. However, there is uncertainty whether this proposal will be passed before the deadline or not.
At the White House, press secretary Karin Jean-Pierre criticized Republicans for “doing the bidding of their billionaire friends” and warned that a government shutdown could disrupt the transition to a second Trump administration.
The shutdown could disrupt Christmas travel, halt non-essential government operations and hit the U.S. economy a month before Donald Trump returns to the White House.
Here are answers to key questions about the government shutdown:
What is the reason for the government shutdown?
A US government shutdown occurs when Congress fails to approve funding for federal operations by a set deadline, in this case, midnight on December 20.
The Antideficiency Act, enacted in 1884, prohibits federal agencies from spending or committing funds without congressional approval.
This week, a stop-gap measure was proposed to run the government. On Tuesday, House Speaker Mike Johnson announced a bipartisan deal to extend funding through March, including provisions for aid to farmers, hurricane relief, and modest pay raises for members of Congress.
However, the deal hit a snag after Donald Trump and his ally Elon Musk spread misinformation about the proposal. Trump further called for suspending or eliminating the federal debt limit.
Can America still stop the shutdown?
With Thursday night’s failure of a Trump-backed proposal, a government shutdown appears likely. However, as the holidays approach, there is pressure to suspend federal operations for a long time.
“We’re expecting a vote this morning, so everyone stay tuned,” House Speaker Mike Johnson said Friday. Asked if a deal had been reached, he replied, “We’ll see.”
Both the House and Senate — the Republican-led House and the Democrat-controlled Senate — must approve any measure, but narrow margins make bipartisan support necessary. If a deal is reached, funding could be temporarily phased out while final approval and President Biden’s signature are secured.
What happens when the US government shuts down?
During a government shutdown, thousands of federal employees are on the job, temporarily stopping their work and pay until the shutdown ends, although their pay is refunded.
Essential workers, such as air traffic controllers and law enforcement officers, will continue to work without pay until the standoff is resolved.
National parks may be closed or operate with limited services, while passport processing and health research may also be closed, depending on how long the closure lasts.
(With inputs from The Associated Press and Reuters)
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