As the clock winds down on Capitol Hill, the United States House of Representatives ended the week on Friday without passing any major spending bills, leaving only seven days before the government could shutdown.
This week was expected to be a decisive one for the House, as members from both parties attempt to reach a compromise to avoid a government shutdown. Last month, Congress narrowly passed a short-term measure to keep the government funded until December 20, with the understanding that they would pass a longer-term solution this week.
However, the week passed without any major progress, as the House failed to pass a spending bill supported by both Republicans and Democrats.
It remains unclear if the Senate will be able to break the impasse, given the current level of partisan divisions. Republicans have asked for significant new funding for President Trump’s long-promised border wall, while Democrats have insisted that such funding should not be part of any agreement.
At the center of the debate are nine federal departments, which will be affected by the looming shutdown unless Congress can pass a spending bill in the next seven days. Departments that could experience some type of furlough or funding cuts include the Department of Homeland Security, Department of Justice, Department of Interior, and others.
With just over a week to go until the possible shutdown, both sides have indicated that they are willing to negotiate. Trump has publicly expressed his willingness to consider a deal that does not include immediate wall funding, while Congressional leaders appear eager to reach a compromise that would minimize the impact of the potential shutdown.
As the clock continues to tick, the pressure will be on Congress to reach a resolution before the holidays. The stakes are high, as a shutdown could profoundly affect agencies that are crucial for national security and public safety.