SE Valley Times

Arizona Rep. Andy Biggs is urging the passage of the spending bills to prevent a government shutdown, as speculation about a shutdown has been circulating for weeks. The current fiscal year ends on September 30, and if the 12 spending bills are not approved, a government shutdown would begin at 12:01 a.m. on October 1st.

Biggs, in discussing the possibility of a shutdown, emphasized the importance of long-term sustainability over short-term rhetoric. He stated, "The media and Uniparty types insist that we must use CRs so that the government will not 'shut down.' I say they should insist on passing Congress' 12 annual spending bills as mandated by law. I choose long-term sustainability over short-term rhetoric."

The disagreements that could lead to a shutdown revolve around spending levels and the provision of additional aid to Ukraine. Republicans hold a slim majority in the House, while Democrats control the Senate. To buy more time, lawmakers are considering a short-term funding extension, commonly known as a continuing resolution or CR.

In the event of a government shutdown, the federal government would face challenges in paying its 4 million employees, which could result in employee furloughs. However, essential functions such as the military and public safety roles would continue, and both President Joe Biden and members of Congress would continue to work. Programs like Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and others would also remain unaffected as they are not funded through the spending bills.

The Biden Administration has faced criticism for the amount of funding sent to Ukraine in the past year. The United States has allocated over $111 billion in aid to Ukraine, focusing on humanitarian, financial, and military assistance. In July, Biden requested an additional $24 billion in funding for Ukraine, bringing the total to $135 billion.

The issue of government spending has been a topic of concern for some Americans. Charlie Kirk, Founder and President of Turning Point USA, expressed his dissatisfaction with the current situation, stating, "It's simply unacceptable to normal people to spend $2 trillion you don't have on wars you can't win, defending people who aren't yours, while being invaded by people we don't know. Cut spending. End the Ukraine mess. Defund Jack Smith. Stop the invasion. OR...SHUT IT DOWN."

As the September 30 deadline approaches, the fate of the spending bills and the possibility of a government shutdown remains uncertain. It is crucial for lawmakers to come to an agreement to ensure the continued operation of the federal government and avoid any disruptions that a shutdown would cause.