Two House Republicans Open to Working With Democrats to Avoid Government Shutdown

Two House Republicans say they may work with Democrats on funding the government if GOP fails to unify.
Reps. Marc Molinaro and Mike Lawler open to discharge petition to force vote on short-term funding.
Discharge petition requires majority of House signatures, takes time, so not an option before Sept. 30 shutdown.
Molinaro tried to broker framework to move GOP appropriations bills, appeal to ideological ends of party.
Democratic leaders downplay prospects of discharge petition resolving impasse; GOP border measures could lose Dem votes.

nbcnews.com

Relevant topic timeline:

9/19/2023

Swing District Republicans Weigh Bucking Leadership on Spending Bill to Avoid Shutdown

Some swing district Republican lawmakers are considering working with Democrats to avert or shorten a government shutdown by utilizing a procedural step known as a "discharge petition" to force a vote on a clean spending bill.

9/24/2023

Government Shutdown Looms as GOP Holdouts Reject Stopgap Funding Bill

The leaders of the bipartisan House Problem Solvers Caucus are considering all options, including a discharge petition, to force a vote on their alternative stopgap plan to avoid a government shutdown as funding is set to run out on September 30.

9/24/2023

Budget Negotiations Stall as Lawmakers Struggle to Avert Looming Government Shutdown

Lawmakers are facing a tight deadline to reach an agreement on a budget resolution to avoid a government shutdown as spending laws are set to expire on September 30. House Republicans, led by Speaker Kevin McCarthy, are struggling to unite the GOP caucus and secure enough votes for a deal, while Democratic support would come with political consequences. Failure to reach an agreement would result in paused paychecks for federal employees and disruption of government services.

9/26/2023

McCarthy Faces Conservative Revolt if He Funds Government With Democratic Support

Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy faces a critical choice: work with Democrats to pass a short-term funding bill and prevent a government shutdown or risk losing his speakership by aligning with conservative hard-liners who oppose cooperation with Democrats.

9/29/2023

Jeffries Weighs Discharge Petition to Force Vote on Spending Bill, Avoid Shutdown Despite Doubts on GOP Support

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries is considering using a discharge petition to force a short-term spending bill, known as a continuing resolution (CR), onto the House floor in order to avoid a government shutdown, but he is skeptical of moderate Republicans joining the effort.

10/1/2023

McCarthy Passes Stopgap Funding Bill, Avoids Shutdown But Angering Some in GOP Over Lack of Ukraine Aid

Summary: GOP Rep. Byron Donalds expressed uncertainty about whether he would vote to remove Rep. Kevin McCarthy from his position as House Speaker, but acknowledged that McCarthy may be in danger of losing his leadership role due to distrust within the chamber; Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi advised Democrats to follow the lead of House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries on the potential vote to remove McCarthy; White House budget director Shalanda Young called on Congress to pass full-year funding bills and avoid another government shutdown; GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz announced his intention to file a motion to remove McCarthy as Speaker of the House, citing concerns about trustworthiness and broken promises; Ukrainian officials are working with the US government to secure funding for Ukraine in the new budget being worked on over the next 45 days; Speaker McCarthy avoided a government shutdown by relying on Democratic votes to pass a stopgap funding bill, prompting criticism from conservatives within his party who may attempt to remove him from his leadership position; Bipartisan Senate leaders pledged to vote on further funding for Ukraine in the coming weeks; Congress passed a short-term funding bill to prevent a government shutdown, but disagreements over funding for Ukraine and border security remain.