US Senate Approves Stopgap Bill to Avert Government Shutdown

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The Spin

Democratic narrative

The threat of a government shutdown has been postponed with this 11th-hour bill, but this all-too-usual fiscal drama is not without consequences. Rating firms have recently downgraded US credit, costing taxpayers higher interest rates and affecting faith in governance. These self-proclaimed fiscal conservatives — who allowed the debt to grow by $8T under Trump — have made budget brinkmanship a routine only when a Democrat is in the White House.

Republican narrative

While a government shutdown will be averted for now, it's only a temporary fix that doesn't address the core issue: the US is sitting on an unsustainable amount of debt. Before this accomplishment is celebrated, it should be noted this will do little more than push the deadline back and see across-the-aisle clashes and GOP infighting postponed until next year. This isn't a win.

Cynical narrative

America has been facing the threat of government shutdowns every year in a bipartisan brinkmanship theater that only favors those who are seeking to increase public expenditure in last-minute budget-busting omnibus bills. Unfortunately, lawmakers would vote yes on anything to avoid a shutdown, which is why the fiscally irresponsible always win. Legislation must be changed to automatically maintain current spending levels during deadlocks until the enactment of new appropriations bills.

Metaculus Prediction


Political split

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RIGHT

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