Republican Party: a temporary plan to finance the American federal state
The Republican Party recently announced a temporary plan to finance the US federal government, as the country once again finds itself on the brink of budgetary paralysis. Less than two months after the last negotiations around the federal budget, which had already plunged the House of Representatives into chaos, this new financial crisis threatens to disrupt the very functioning of the government.
The plan proposed by the Republicans is divided into two parts. The first part consists of the adoption of a short-term bill, which would make it possible to maintain the opening of federal services until January 19. The remainder of the spending bills would be delayed until February 2, giving Congress the time needed to pass them without committing funding to sensitive issues such as Israel, Ukraine and border security.
However, this plan will likely encounter obstacles as it moves through Congress. Already, some Republicans have complained that it doesn’t provide the funding cuts they seek. The slim majority held by Republicans in the House of Representatives makes its adoption uncertain, especially since the Senate is controlled by Democrats.
The White House also criticized the proposal, calling it “a recipe for more Republican chaos and more shutdowns.” President Biden and his administration are concerned about the economic and social consequences of a new budget blockage, which would result in a reduction in economic activities, civil servants deprived of salaries and disruptions in air traffic.
This recurring budget crisis highlights the political divisions that persist within the US Congress. Republican elected officials continue to fight for their funding priorities, while Democrats refuse to have their economic policies imposed by supporters of former President Trump.
The situation is all the more complicated since the dismissal of Kevin McCarthy, the Republican Speaker of the House of Representatives, during previous budget negotiations. His successor, Mike Johnson, must now confront these fractures within his party and work with Democrats to find a compromise.
The expiration of the federal budget is fast approaching, next Friday at midnight. If no agreement is reached by then, the American economy risks suffering a slowdown, civil servants will be deprived of salaries and air traffic will be disrupted.
It is hoped that representatives of both parties can find common ground to avoid another fiscal crisis and work together for the benefit of the country. With less than a week to go before the deadline, the pressure is at its peak and negotiations are intensifying. We will have to wait for the coming days to know if the Republican Party will succeed in passing its temporary plan or if the United States will once again have to face the consequences of a “shutdown”.