House to vote on 3-month funding extension to avoid government shutdown
CBSSEP 2024
Congress Votes to Fund US Government Through Dec. 20
Above: House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) prior to the House vote on the Sept. 25 continuing resolution. Image copyright: Kent Nishimura/Stringer/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Spin
Democratic narrative
Once again Democrats proved they are the lone party in Washington focusing on beneficial policy, while Republicans are determined to grind the government to a halt. This continues a yearslong pattern of Democrats saving Republicans from themselves just when it seems Republicans will drive federal operations into a wall. Hopefully, the American people will recognize this difference when they go to the election booth.
Republican narrative
Some factions of the GOP may not fully agree, but this continuing resolution is the best way forward. The government should never needlessly be shut down, and this definitely wasn't the time to make a political statement with crucial programs, including ones related to national security, at risk. Luckily, enough Republicans came to a consensus, and they can look forward to the November election providing guidance on how the government should be funded moving forward.
Conservative narrative
Once again, Republicans who may as well be part of a "uniparty" with the Democrats caved and agreed to let the country continue to spend at an unsustainable rate. The US needs to restrain its spending and it needs a sound, long-term financial plan, not these resolutions that keep kicking the can down the road — forcing legislators to make snap decisions.