There are blockbuster weeks on Capitol Hill, after which there are weeks like this one.
Hunter Biden is testifying. Protection Secretary Lloyd Austin is explaining. A partial authorities shutdown is looming.
“Congress hasn’t even completed our deadlines from the earlier fiscal 12 months. I imply, Oct. 1 was the deadline,” fumed Rep. Warren Davidson, R-Ohio, on FOX Enterprise. “Earlier than I used to be in Congress, I used to be in manufacturing. And if you happen to have been making dangerous elements, you’ll a minimum of cease making dangerous elements.”
Davidson noticed that Congress continues to even make “dangerous elements, and we’re not even in session.”
Some conservatives say they’re okay with a shutdown starting this weekend. They imagine a shutdown would a minimum of harness some spending.
“A authorities shutdown shouldn’t be splendid. However it’s not the worst factor,” mentioned the Home Freedom Caucus Chairman Rep. Bob Good, R-Va. “The one leverage now we have, when now we have one department, is to be prepared to say no. To be prepared to stroll away.”
BURNING DOWN THE HOUSE: FEBRUARY HAS BEEN AN UNMITIGATED DISASTER FOR REPUBLICANS
Conservatives are begging House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., to desert a authorities spending pact he crafted with Senate Majority Chief Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and others in early January. The accord didn’t fund the federal government — therefore the funding drawback lawmakers face this weekend. That settlement merely established the dimensions of the cash pie for fiscal 12 months 2024. Leaders agreed that Congress would spend a grand complete of $1.59 trillion for fiscal 12 months 2024. However on what? And the way? These points stay unresolved. That’s the reason lawmakers have toiled over for almost two months now – making an attempt to slice $1.59 trillion into 12 separate appropriations payments. It was thought there could also be an settlement over the weekend. Nevertheless, issues imploded.
“The issue is that Speaker Johnson is indecisive. He’s weak. He’s inexperienced and he doesn’t have the votes. Not solely as a result of it’s a good majority. But additionally as a result of there’s a far proper group of Home Republicans who’re blocking him in every single place he needs to go,” mentioned Tom Kahn, a distinguished fellow at American College and former Home Funds Committee workers director. “I believe he’s afraid to make choices as a result of he’s afraid to lose his job. He noticed what occurred to his predecessor, (former Home Speaker) Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif.”
So, conservatives are actually pushing an interim spending invoice — one thing which was anathema to many on the precise only a few months in the past. They used to demand that Congress go spending payments “by the ebook.” One after the other. Now, conservatives are okay with a stopgap plan, generally known as a seamless decision (CR). Federal spending climbs 12 months after 12 months. A CR merely renews all of the outdated funding — with out a rise. This gambit maintains the outdated spending ranges. It isn’t a reduce, however there isn’t any new funding. Thus, to conservatives, it saves cash.
“That is why I assist a seamless decision, which really goes to drive a 1% reduce. $100 billion financial savings and perhaps stabilize this inflation situation” mentioned Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., on Fox.
Democrats — and a few Republicans — discover this pondering outrageous.
“It’s very disappointing to see that the House has been so unwilling to compromise and work collectively,” mentioned Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H. “We’ve simply had obstacles each step of the way in which.”
Nevertheless, most lawmakers are resigned to believing a CR stands out as the solely approach to keep away from a shutdown.
“Issues are fairly unsure proper now,” mentioned Sen. John Cornyn, R-Tex. “I believe we’re heading towards a CR for some unsure period.”
The deadline is Friday night time at 11:59:59 p.m. ET.
“It’s going to be laborious sufficient to satisfy that 72-hour requirement by Friday,” mentioned Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin, D-Sick. “So I don’t know if a CR is feasible.”
Here’s what is at stake. A partial shutdown stalls transportation and housing applications. It suspends cash for agriculture and navy building. A authorities closure holds up power and water initiatives.
Nevertheless, a full shutdown for all the federal authorities may hit on the finish of the day on March 8.
Prime bipartisan Senate leaders try to avert a shutdown.
“The margin for error on any of those is razor skinny. And sadly, the temptation to decide on chaos and dysfunction as an alternative of cooperation shall be robust for some right here within the Capitol,” mentioned Schumer.
Schumer secured backup from Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.
“As soon as extra, a shutdown this week is fully, avoidable,” mentioned McConnell. “Shutting down the federal government is dangerous to the nation. And it by no means produces optimistic outcomes – on coverage or politics.”
Nevertheless, not all lawmakers are centered on authorities spending.
Hunter Biden testifies behind closed doorways on Wednesday earlier than Home investigators. Austin will clarify to furious lawmakers on Thursday as to why he failed to tell the president or different Pentagon officers about his medical go away. Then, we’re on to a partial authorities shutdown Friday.
That is simply a mean winter in Congress nowadays.
GROWING FRUSTRATION AMONG MAYORKAS IMPEACHMENT MANAGERS ABOUT NOT STARTING A TRIAL
What about an impeachment trial for Homeland Safety Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas? The Home impeached Mayorkas on Feb. 13. Nobody actually is aware of the timing of a Senate trial. Eleven Home members will function “impeachment managers” to prosecute the case earlier than the Senate. However as to their roles and when a Senate trial would possibly start? The brand new uniform pants in Main League Baseball are extra clear.
A number of of the managers expressed frustration on the dearth of details about what roles they could play in an impeachment trial. One informed Fox that they had “no clear steerage” from the GOP brass as to what to anticipate.
In late 2019 and early 2020, Democratic Home impeachment managers held “mock trial” classes and engaged in parliamentary calisthenics behind closed doorways to organize for the primary impeachment trial of former President Trump. The Mayorkas managers have held no such classes. That was why a minimum of one impeachment supervisor nervous that the Senate would possibly demand the trial start instantly. That might make the Home members seem silly and amateurish.
Nevertheless, a senior Home Republican management aide mentioned that the brass had briefed all managers — including they’d be “totally ready” when a trial begins.
It was thought that the Senate may begin its trial as early as Wednesday, however Fox is informed to not count on a trial this week. The truth is, the impeachment trial could also be on hiatus — till lawmakers work out tips on how to fund the federal government.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
So this week is a blockbuster as it’s.
However think about what it could have been like had there additionally been the impeachment trial of Mayorkas — the primary impeachment trial of a cupboard secretary because the 1870s.
There are blockbuster weeks on Capitol Hill, after which there are weeks like this one.
Hunter Biden is testifying. Protection Secretary Lloyd Austin is explaining. A partial authorities shutdown is looming.
“Congress hasn’t even completed our deadlines from the earlier fiscal 12 months. I imply, Oct. 1 was the deadline,” fumed Rep. Warren Davidson, R-Ohio, on FOX Enterprise. “Earlier than I used to be in Congress, I used to be in manufacturing. And if you happen to have been making dangerous elements, you’ll a minimum of cease making dangerous elements.”
Davidson noticed that Congress continues to even make “dangerous elements, and we’re not even in session.”
Some conservatives say they’re okay with a shutdown starting this weekend. They imagine a shutdown would a minimum of harness some spending.
“A authorities shutdown shouldn’t be splendid. However it’s not the worst factor,” mentioned the Home Freedom Caucus Chairman Rep. Bob Good, R-Va. “The one leverage now we have, when now we have one department, is to be prepared to say no. To be prepared to stroll away.”
BURNING DOWN THE HOUSE: FEBRUARY HAS BEEN AN UNMITIGATED DISASTER FOR REPUBLICANS
Conservatives are begging House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., to desert a authorities spending pact he crafted with Senate Majority Chief Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and others in early January. The accord didn’t fund the federal government — therefore the funding drawback lawmakers face this weekend. That settlement merely established the dimensions of the cash pie for fiscal 12 months 2024. Leaders agreed that Congress would spend a grand complete of $1.59 trillion for fiscal 12 months 2024. However on what? And the way? These points stay unresolved. That’s the reason lawmakers have toiled over for almost two months now – making an attempt to slice $1.59 trillion into 12 separate appropriations payments. It was thought there could also be an settlement over the weekend. Nevertheless, issues imploded.
“The issue is that Speaker Johnson is indecisive. He’s weak. He’s inexperienced and he doesn’t have the votes. Not solely as a result of it’s a good majority. But additionally as a result of there’s a far proper group of Home Republicans who’re blocking him in every single place he needs to go,” mentioned Tom Kahn, a distinguished fellow at American College and former Home Funds Committee workers director. “I believe he’s afraid to make choices as a result of he’s afraid to lose his job. He noticed what occurred to his predecessor, (former Home Speaker) Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif.”
So, conservatives are actually pushing an interim spending invoice — one thing which was anathema to many on the precise only a few months in the past. They used to demand that Congress go spending payments “by the ebook.” One after the other. Now, conservatives are okay with a stopgap plan, generally known as a seamless decision (CR). Federal spending climbs 12 months after 12 months. A CR merely renews all of the outdated funding — with out a rise. This gambit maintains the outdated spending ranges. It isn’t a reduce, however there isn’t any new funding. Thus, to conservatives, it saves cash.
“That is why I assist a seamless decision, which really goes to drive a 1% reduce. $100 billion financial savings and perhaps stabilize this inflation situation” mentioned Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., on Fox.
Democrats — and a few Republicans — discover this pondering outrageous.
“It’s very disappointing to see that the House has been so unwilling to compromise and work collectively,” mentioned Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H. “We’ve simply had obstacles each step of the way in which.”
Nevertheless, most lawmakers are resigned to believing a CR stands out as the solely approach to keep away from a shutdown.
“Issues are fairly unsure proper now,” mentioned Sen. John Cornyn, R-Tex. “I believe we’re heading towards a CR for some unsure period.”
The deadline is Friday night time at 11:59:59 p.m. ET.
“It’s going to be laborious sufficient to satisfy that 72-hour requirement by Friday,” mentioned Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin, D-Sick. “So I don’t know if a CR is feasible.”
Here’s what is at stake. A partial shutdown stalls transportation and housing applications. It suspends cash for agriculture and navy building. A authorities closure holds up power and water initiatives.
Nevertheless, a full shutdown for all the federal authorities may hit on the finish of the day on March 8.
Prime bipartisan Senate leaders try to avert a shutdown.
“The margin for error on any of those is razor skinny. And sadly, the temptation to decide on chaos and dysfunction as an alternative of cooperation shall be robust for some right here within the Capitol,” mentioned Schumer.
Schumer secured backup from Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.
“As soon as extra, a shutdown this week is fully, avoidable,” mentioned McConnell. “Shutting down the federal government is dangerous to the nation. And it by no means produces optimistic outcomes – on coverage or politics.”
Nevertheless, not all lawmakers are centered on authorities spending.
Hunter Biden testifies behind closed doorways on Wednesday earlier than Home investigators. Austin will clarify to furious lawmakers on Thursday as to why he failed to tell the president or different Pentagon officers about his medical go away. Then, we’re on to a partial authorities shutdown Friday.
That is simply a mean winter in Congress nowadays.
GROWING FRUSTRATION AMONG MAYORKAS IMPEACHMENT MANAGERS ABOUT NOT STARTING A TRIAL
What about an impeachment trial for Homeland Safety Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas? The Home impeached Mayorkas on Feb. 13. Nobody actually is aware of the timing of a Senate trial. Eleven Home members will function “impeachment managers” to prosecute the case earlier than the Senate. However as to their roles and when a Senate trial would possibly start? The brand new uniform pants in Main League Baseball are extra clear.
A number of of the managers expressed frustration on the dearth of details about what roles they could play in an impeachment trial. One informed Fox that they had “no clear steerage” from the GOP brass as to what to anticipate.
In late 2019 and early 2020, Democratic Home impeachment managers held “mock trial” classes and engaged in parliamentary calisthenics behind closed doorways to organize for the primary impeachment trial of former President Trump. The Mayorkas managers have held no such classes. That was why a minimum of one impeachment supervisor nervous that the Senate would possibly demand the trial start instantly. That might make the Home members seem silly and amateurish.
Nevertheless, a senior Home Republican management aide mentioned that the brass had briefed all managers — including they’d be “totally ready” when a trial begins.
It was thought that the Senate may begin its trial as early as Wednesday, however Fox is informed to not count on a trial this week. The truth is, the impeachment trial could also be on hiatus — till lawmakers work out tips on how to fund the federal government.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
So this week is a blockbuster as it’s.
However think about what it could have been like had there additionally been the impeachment trial of Mayorkas — the primary impeachment trial of a cupboard secretary because the 1870s.