McCarthy launches last-ditch plan to keep government open but with steep 30% cuts to many agencies

abcnews.go.com:

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy is rushing into a last-ditch plan to keep the government temporarily open but with steep spending cuts of nearly 30% to many agencies

WASHINGTON — House Speaker Kevin McCarthy rushed Friday into a last-ditch plan to keep the federal government temporarily open — but with steep spending cuts of nearly 30% to many agencies and severe border security provisions demanded by his hard-right flank though with almost no chance in the Democratic Senate.

The package cleared a procedural vote Friday but final passage in the afternoon was uncertain, testing whether the embattled McCarthy has the support he needs from his slim Republican majority. So far, the right flank has rejected his efforts as they push McCarthy closer to their demands, threaten his ouster and risk a government shutdown.

The Republican speaker all but dared his hold-out colleagues to oppose it a day before Saturday's almost certain shutdown. The bill would keep operations open through Oct. 31.

“Every member will have to go on record where they stand,” the Republican McCarthy said at the Capitol.

Asked if he had the votes, McCarthy quipped, “We'll see.”

As soon as the floor debate began, McCarthy's chief Republican critic, Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida, announced he would be voting against the package, calling its border security provisions insufficient and urging his colleagues to “not surrender.”

The federal government is heading straight into a shutdown after midnight Saturday that would leave 2 million military troops without pay, furlough federal works and disrupt government services and programs that Americans rely on from coast-to coast. Congress has been unable to fund the agencies or pass a temporary bill to keep offices open.