US Congress approves ‘stopgap funding bill’ to avert govt shutdown
government shutdown, according to AFP reports. The Republican-controlled House of Representatives voted 335-91 to adopt a 45-day stopgap measure hours before funding for federal agencies was set to expire. Kevin McCarthy, the top US House Republican could face an untimely end to his role as speaker if party hardliners oust him, for averting a costly government shutdown on Saturday with a stopgap bill that drew more support from Democrats than Republicans, Reuters reported.
Soon after the House action, the Republican conservatives began targeting McCarthy's role as speaker, claiming he had scored a victory for the "Uniparty" of Washington. "Should he remain Speaker of the House?" Republican Representative Andy Biggs, a leading hardliner, asked on the social platform X, formerly known as Twitter. McCarthy decided to bring a vote on a measure that could win Democratic support, knowing full well that it could jeopardize his job.
“Go ahead and try." Some Democrats have suggested they could support McCarthy if an ouster attempt occurred at a turbulent time. Others have suggested they could back a moderate Republican willing to share the gavel with them and allow power-sharing within House committees. However, some also showed no interest in helping any speaker candidate aside from House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries, as per Reuters reports.
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