US government shutdown eminent? Lawmakers reject key six-month funding extension
U.S. Capitol building
US lawmakers on Wednesday (Sep 18) rejected a Republican-backed government funding proposal that would've kept the government running past November's presidential elections.
The bill which was aimed at preventing a government shutdown with a six-month extension of funding, was voted down 220-202 with some Republicans joining Democrats in opposing the measure, as reported.
The Republican plan included the SAVE Act, a controversial measure backed by former President Donald Trump. The act would require proof of citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections, a proposal opposed by the Biden administration, which argues that non citizen voting is already illegal and rare.
Trump calls for forced shutdown
This comes as former US President Donald Trump has called for a forced shutdown unless certain demands are met.
)
'Today, it’s Tel Aviv. Tomorrow, it’s New York': Netanyahu says US must back Israel or face Iran’s wrath next
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why Prince Al-Waleed is called Saudi Arabia’s 'Sleeping Prince' and has he finally woken up?
)
Iran says committed to 'diplomacy' but won't hesitate to act in 'self-defence' against Israel
)
US military footage shows strange flying disc over Afghan-Pakistan border. Watch
)
Operation Sindhu: Plane carrying 110 Indian students from Iran lands in Delhi
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Doomsday fish seen four times this year, including in India. Here are all the recent sightings
)
Greatest player in Wimbledon? Roger Federer could have won 12 titles if not for Novak Djokovic
)
UK's Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, pulls out of Royal Ascot race meeting
)
‘Solution can be found’: Putin says Israel-Iran deal can end conflict
)
Macron urges Israel to cease strikes not linked to Iran's nuclear, ballistic programme, points to 'mounting' civilian deaths
)
Trump administration resumes foreign students’ visas - but there’s a catch
)
‘We need to find a solution’: Putin says ready to meet Zelensky but only in ‘final phase’ of talks
)
For ‘standing by our side’: Netanyahu thanks Trump, says ‘Israel is stronger than ever’
)
Drunk passenger pulls woman's hair, is zip tied after maniacal episode on flight in New York
)
Strong 6.1-magnitude earthquake strikes off Japan’s Hokkaido coast
)
Scientist suggests Egyptian pyramids were 'ancient ports', built near a Nile branch that disappeared
Ahead of the vote, taking to X, the Republican Party presidential candidate rallied fellow Republicans and said: "If Republicans don't get the SAVE Act, and every ounce of it, they should not agree to a Continuing Resolution in any way, shape, or form".
When does the government funding end?
As per AFP, the government funding is due to expire at the end of September, and with this proposed extension, the deadline shutdown would have been pushed back to March 2025 — when the next US president would've been in the White House.
What does a shutdown mean?
A government shutdown in this scenario means the closure of federal services and the furlough of millions of federal workers.
If no agreement is reached, a government shutdown could occur just weeks before the November presidential election.
After the vote, in a statement, House Appropriations Committee ranking member Rosa DeLauro said: "Once again, the House Republican majority has failed at its most basic tasks."
"We have seven legislative days to keep the government open," DeLauro added.
(With inputs from agencies)