Government shutdown looms if Congress doesn't act: What to know

foxbusiness.com:

FOX News senior congressional correspondent Chad Pergram discusses GOP lawmakers blocking an attempt at a House spending bill amid a looming government shutdown and the threat to Kevin McCarthys speakership.

The federal government is facing the threat of a looming government shutdown that could cause federal workers to go without pay if Congress does not pass a funding bill by Saturday at 11:59 p.m. Eastern.

Lawmakers in Congress are negotiating over a short-term continuing resolution (CR) that would extend funding on a short-term basis to allow negotiations over spending levels for the rest of fiscal year 2024 to play out and legislation to be passed.

House Republicans are divided over the duration of a CR and whether other provisions like border security measures, Ukraine funding and disaster aid should be attached. Senators have started crafting a bipartisan short-term CR, although the measure has not yet been introduced.

Any funding legislation will ultimately require bipartisan support to become law given Republican control of the House and the Democrats’ narrow majority in the Senate lacking the 60 votes needed to defeat a potential GOP filibuster. 

THE SPEAKER’S LOBBY: THE HITCHHIKER’S GUIDE TO A POSSIBLE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN

A looming government shutdown could begin Sunday morning if Congress does not approve funding legislation. (Photo by KAREN BLEIER/AFP via Getty Images)

Additionally, unanimous consent from all 100 senators will be needed to bypass procedural hurdles that could potentially delay a vote on final passage beyond Saturday night’s deadline, even though the final vote need not be unanimous. Senators often use this dynamic to leverage votes on their preferred amendments in exchange for signing on