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The Daily

Why the Government is About to Shut Down

Sep 29, 2023
Carl Hulse, the Chief Washington correspondent for The New York Times, dives deep into the escalating showdown between House Republicans and Speaker Kevin McCarthy. He discusses how a faction of hard-right conservatives is pushing for a government shutdown, complicating bipartisan negotiations. The potential consequences are dire, affecting federal workers and critical services. Hulse analyzes Biden's strategy to minimize blame and highlights the growing frustration among the public regarding congressional inaction amid political chaos.
25:03

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Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The looming government shutdown is the result of a showdown between House Republicans and Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who made promises to conservative Republicans but has been unable to fulfill them, leading to a motion to vacate giving far-right conservatives veto power over his leadership.
  • McCarthy faces a dilemma as he tries to avoid a shutdown while also catering to far-right Republicans, making it difficult for him to find a way out of the current political turmoil.

Deep dives

Reasons for the Government Shutdown

The looming government shutdown is the result of a showdown between House Republicans and Speaker Kevin McCarthy. McCarthy, who made promises to conservative Republicans to cut federal spending and return it to pre-COVID levels, has been unable to fulfill these promises. Moreover, an agreement to maintain McCarthy as speaker with the condition of a motion to vacate gives far-right conservatives veto power over his leadership. McCarthy's attempts to appease these conservatives, such as announcing an impeachment inquiry against President Biden, have not been successful in avoiding the shutdown.

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