Impending Shutdown: House Struggles to Secure Votes for Funding Bills

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy appears to lack the votes to pass a last-ditch stopgap bill to extend government funding beyond Saturday, increasing the likelihood of a government shutdown. McCarthy risks provoking a major confrontation with hardline conservatives if he tries to push through a one-month funding extension, as they argue Congress should focus on passing full-year spending bills. Even if the measure were to pass the House, the spending levels and border measures would likely doom it in the Democratic-controlled Senate. The House GOP leaders are uncertain they have the votes to win a key procedural vote, and a shutdown could have significant impacts across the country. The Senate is working on a bipartisan stopgap bill, but it may not pass in time to avoid a shutdown.