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House to Vote Wednesday on Doomed GOP Bill to Avert Government Shutdown
Congress Faces Looming Deadline
The House is poised to vote Wednesday on a Republican-backed bill to avert a government shutdown, but the measure is expected to fail in the Senate, setting the stage for a potential shutdown on Saturday.
The bill, which passed the House Appropriations Committee on Tuesday, would provide stopgap funding for the government through Feb. 16. However, Democrats have vowed to oppose the measure, arguing that it does not address their priorities, such as protecting immigrants brought to the U.S. as children.
Senate Unlikely to Pass Bill
Even if the bill were to pass the House, it is unlikely to be taken up by the Senate, where Democrats hold a majority. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) has said that he will not allow a vote on any funding bill that does not include protections for immigrants known as Dreamers.
The impasse between the two parties has raised the specter of a government shutdown, which would occur if Congress fails to pass a funding bill by Saturday at midnight.
Potential Impact of Shutdown
A government shutdown would have a significant impact on federal operations, with hundreds of thousands of workers furloughed and many government services disrupted. Essential services, such as the military and air traffic control, would continue to operate, but many other government functions would be suspended.
A shutdown would also have a ripple effect on the economy, as businesses that rely on government contracts would be affected. The last government shutdown, which occurred in 2013, cost the U.S. economy an estimated $24 billion.
Negotiations Continue
Despite the looming deadline, negotiations between the two parties are continuing. President Trump has met with congressional leaders from both parties in an effort to break the impasse, but no agreement has been reached.
It remains to be seen whether a deal can be reached before the deadline, or whether the government will shut down for the first time since 2013.