US House Republicans try long-shot strategy to avoid government shutdown
Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives on Friday turned to a new strategy in a long-shot bid to prevent the fourth government shutdown in a decade, as time runs short ahead of a Sept.
30 deadline.
Republicans have so far failed to advance legislation that would keep the government running when the new fiscal year starts on Oct. 1.
Instead, they are preparing four separate spending bills, most of which reflect the deep cuts sought by the party's right flank.
They are certain to be rejected by the Democratic-controlled Senate, as they are far below spending levels outlined in a deal with Democratic President Joe Biden earlier this year.
The White House said Biden would veto two of those bills.
The House could vote on those bills on Tuesday, Speaker Kevin McCarthy said. Passage of the spending bills could give Republicans some leverage in negotiations with the Senate.
McCarthy said he hopes that would give him leeway to advance a stop-gap funding bill to keep the government running through Oct.
31. Some hard-right Republicans have balked at that idea.
«I still believe if you shut down, we are in a weaker position.
