House Republican dissidents sink McCarthy's bill to avoid government shutdown

Congress headed into the weekend with no resolution in sight for averting a partial government shutdown, with House Republican dissidents sinking a short-term spending bill proposed by House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal1. The bill would have funded the government through December 3, but it failed to pass the House on Thursday night, with 48 Republicans joining Democrats in voting against it1. The vote puts the government on track to shut down at midnight on Friday, unless lawmakers can reach a last-minute deal1.

The impasse centers on a dispute over funding for President Joe Biden's vaccine mandate, which Republicans have sought to block1. Democrats have refused to budge on the issue, arguing that the mandate is necessary to protect public health and prevent the spread of COVID-191. The shutdown would affect a wide range of government services, including national parks, passport offices, and the processing of tax returns1.

The shutdown would be the first since 2018, when the government was closed for 35 days over a dispute over funding for a border wall1. The current impasse is likely to be resolved quickly, as both parties have expressed a desire to avoid a shutdown1. However, the situation highlights the deep divisions in Congress and the difficulty of passing even routine spending bills in a highly polarized political environment1.

Key facts:

• House Republican dissidents sank a short-term spending bill proposed by House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal1.
• The bill would have funded the government through December 3, but it failed to pass the House on Thursday night, with 48 Republicans joining Democrats in voting against it1.
• The impasse centers on a dispute over funding for President Joe Biden's vaccine mandate, which Republicans have sought to block1.
• The shutdown would affect a wide range of government services, including national parks, passport offices, and the processing of tax returns1.
• The shutdown would be the first since 2018, when the government was closed for 35 days over a dispute over funding for a border wall1.
• The current impasse is likely to be resolved quickly, as both parties have expressed a desire to avoid a shutdown1.