With only hours remaining before a possible government shutdown, the U.S. House of Representatives has given the green light to a temporary 45-day solution. If the U.S. Senate also agrees, this would extend the government’s operation until November 17th while both houses of Congress collaborate to ensure government funding.
The House’s decision means that federal funding and spending would remain unchanged until a new agreement is reached. The vote passed with 335 members in favor and 91 opposed. It’s worth noting that there was division among Republican members during the vote, whereas only one Democrat, Mike Quigley from Illinois, voted against the temporary measure.
For Republicans, the split was less pronounced, with 126 in favor and 90 against the stop-gap. State representatives from various areas had differing opinions on whether the government should be allowed to shut down. Even in Georgia, the congressional delegation was divided. Among Georgia’s 14 members of Congress, four Republican members and five Democrat members voted to keep the government operational, while the remaining five Republicans from Georgia voted against the stop-gap measure.
Here’s how Georgia’s U.S. Representatives voted:
In Favor:
- Buddy Carter (R)
- Sanford Bishop (D)
- Drew Ferguson (R)
- Hank Johnson (D)
- Nikema Williams (D)
- Lucy McBath (D)
- Austin Scott (R)
- Rick Allen (R)
- David Scott (D)
Opposed:
- Rich McCormick (R)
- Andrew Clyde (R)
- Mike Collins (R)
- Barry Loudermilk (R)
- Marjorie Taylor Greene (R)
Representative Austin Scott (R) commented on the bipartisan continuing resolution, acknowledging it’s not perfect but emphasizes it prevents a government shutdown for the next 45 days. Congress will reconvene on Monday to continue working on responsible appropriations.
In explaining her vote to avoid a shutdown, Democratic Representative Nikema Williams mentioned putting people above politics to prevent a crisis. She stressed the importance of Congress passing legislation to keep the government open, ensuring that vital services are not disrupted, particularly for women and children.
If the budget standoff in Congress leads to a government shutdown, numerous programs and government employees would face uncertainty, with delayed reopening or payment. In Georgia, this would impact national parks, government workers, and various programs, potentially leading to temporary closures or unpaid work until funding is secured.
The next critical step in averting a government shutdown lies with the U.S. Senate.