Congress Seeks to Avert Shutdown, Border Security in Spotlight

As the deadline for government funding approaches, Congress is seeking to avert a shutdown by passing a short-term funding extension1345. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has embraced border security as a possible way to break the congressional impasse over funding the government1. Calls for increased border security have intensified this week after a recent surge in migration near the southern border overwhelmed already-crowded facilities and temporarily closed an international bridge2. However, the House and Senate are moving even further apart, with tensions high and options limited3. The Senate has announced a stopgap measure designed to prevent an imminent government shutdown over budget legislation4. The deal, hashed out between Republicans and Democrats, would keep the government open for six additional weeks4. It would also earmark approximately $6 billion in short-term funding for Ukraine as it fends off a Russian invasion4. However, the deal will likely face significant hurdles in the House of Representatives, where far-right Republicans have promised to shoot it down if it reaches the floor46.

A government shutdown would furlough millions of federal employees, leave the military without pay, disrupt air travel, and cut off vital safety net services37. Local officials in border towns are worried that staff shortages among federal workers would make it harder to stop criminal activity and process an influx of migrants2. The shutdown would weaken border security amid a surge of unlawful crossings2. If the shutdown occurs, local officials are prepared to declare a state of emergency2.

Key facts from the story:

• Congress is seeking to avert a shutdown by passing a short-term funding extension1345.
• House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has embraced border security as a possible way to break the congressional impasse over funding the government1.
• Calls for increased border security have intensified this week after a recent surge in migration near the southern border overwhelmed already-crowded facilities and temporarily closed an international bridge2.
• The Senate has announced a stopgap measure designed to prevent an imminent government shutdown over budget legislation4.
• The deal, hashed out between Republicans and Democrats, would keep the government open for six additional weeks4.
• It would also earmark approximately $6 billion in short-term funding for Ukraine as it fends off a Russian invasion4.
• However, the deal will likely face significant hurdles in the House of Representatives, where far-right Republicans have promised to shoot it down if it reaches the floor46.
• A government shutdown would furlough millions of federal employees, leave the military without pay, disrupt air travel, and cut off vital safety net services37.
• Local officials in border towns are worried that staff shortages among federal workers would make it harder to stop criminal activity and process an influx of migrants2.
• The shutdown would weaken border security amid a surge of unlawful crossings2.
• If the shutdown occurs, local officials are prepared to declare a state of emergency2.