17 October 2023
By Minseo Kim
The U.S. government narrowly avoided a shutdown crisis recently, as Congress faced the annual budget deadline on October 1. This crucial date marked the deadline for securing funds to pay civil servants salaries and begin government operations. Two million federal workers' lives would have been disrupted if a deal had not been reached. A temporary budget proposal fortunately appeared as a lifeline, preventing disaster.
House Speaker Mekash played a part in coming to a compromise. His temporary budget aimed to bridge the ideological gap that had impeded previous discussions. Unlike the right-wing Republicans who demanded significant budget cuts, Mekash's proposal also accommodated the Democratic Party's request for disaster aid.
Mekash's temporary budget passed despite resistance within his own party. However, it came at a cost: the removal of Kevin McCarthy, influenced by the right-wing Freedom Caucus. McCarthy's downfall was primarily attributed to the budget bill's passage, which incorporated key Democratic priorities. This historic shift in power within the House of Representatives has left the institution bracing for an uncertain future.
With the November 17 deadline looming for the final budget, reaching a consensus remains challenging. The divide exists not only between Democrats and Republicans but also within the Republican Party itself. President Biden's commitment to Ukraine clashes with hardliners' demands for significant budget cuts.