Yesterday, the House Republican leadership announced that it would vote on a continuing resolution (CR), which would ensure government funding when the next fiscal year begins, but that it would include an amendment that would defund Obamacare. The prospect of limiting healthcare and retaining budget cuts put in place as a result of the Budget Control Act of 2011 means that the overwhelming majority of Democrats will oppose the House CR. On the other hand, it is unclear how many Republicans would support a CR without an amendment defunding Obamacare. No one is quite sure how this will turn out yet.
National Journal: Congress Is Finding a Way to Avoid a Shutdown
The Hill: House Dems Escalate Shutdown Fight
If the Congress is not able to pass any funding legislation, certain government agencies and programs will have to shutdown, which will anger many people across the country. One of the critical questions lawmakers and the President will have to answer is whether they will receive the blame for the shutdown. Republicans in particular will have to consider their options carefully since they were largely blamed for the 1995 and 1996 shutdowns.
The Atlantic: Would a Government Shutdown Really Be All That Bad for Republicans? Yes.
Washington Examiner: GOP Poll Finds Strong Opposition to Government Shutdown
And if you are all wrapped up in the fight over the CR this month, don’t forget that next month has its own budget battle: the debt ceiling hike.