Tensions within the Republican Party and among American citizens reached a breaking point earlier this morning as the House GOP held a closed-door meeting mere hours before an expected government shutdown. With the Republican majority in all three branches of Congress, many American citizens had anticipated swift legislation to fund the government, yet lawmakers have been unable to take any decisive action as their differences threaten to bring the federal government to a standstill beginning at midnight.
At 9 a.m. this morning, Republican lawmakers gathered in a closed-door meeting to address the heated disputes and political infighting between the various factions of the party. Over the past few weeks, GOP lawmakers have come under fire for their failure to support a funding bill for the federal government, which would be the fifth government shutdown in four years if it were to occur.
After a heated debate, House Republicans emerged from the meeting with a newfound sense of unity, vowing to pass a continuing resolution to avert the looming shutdown and prevent a potential catastrophe. The funding bill, which was quickly drafted and approved along bipartisan lines, includes funds for border security and keeps non-essential federal agencies afloat until December 21st.
Despite the positive progress made in the House GOP meeting, many Republicans are still skeptical. One congressman offered a warning, stating: “We still need to be very cautious. There are many sticking points that could derail this whole thing. We need to keep our eye on the ball and figure out a way to work together.”
The news of a potential resolution to the standoff was welcomed by many Americans who had grown increasingly frustrated by the looming specter of a government shutdown. House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) called the agreement a “positive step forward,” and is hopeful that Congress will be able to pass the bill and avert what would be a catastrophic government shutdown before midnight tonight.
In the meantime, all eyes are on Congress as the clock ticks down on what has been a tumultuous few months of political infighting. With tensions still high, American citizens can only hope that their elected officials can find a way to work together and pass a bill to avert a government shutdown.