Frustrated House Republicans directed their anger towards Matt Gaetz following the failure of a GOP funding bill that could have prevented a government shutdown. The dissenting hard-liners, numbering 21, who opposed the bill were criticized for jeopardizing military funding and keeping the border open.
Representative Derrick Van Orden, of Wisconsin, called for these members to be named and held accountable for the potential shutdown, emphasizing that it was caused by individuals within the Republican conference.
“There are 21 Republicans who just voted to defund the United States military and keep the border open. … They need to be called out by name,” he said. “I mean, this is not a Republican shutdown. This is a shutdown – If we don’t get this done soon – that is caused by 21 individual members of the Republican conference,” he added.
Moderate Representative Mike Lawler (R-NY) placed the blame squarely on Matt Gaetz, branding him as “a charlatan” and asserting that he is not a true conservative Republican. The situation is complicated, and there is currently no clear solution to avoid a funding lapse.
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“There’s only one person to blame for any potential government shutdown, and that’s Matt Gaetz. He’s not a conservative Republican. He’s a charlatan,” Lawler said.
In the Senate, a bipartisan continuing resolution is being pursued, but House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy has indicated that he will not bring it to the floor. Concerns from conservatives about Ukraine aid and the absence of border security provisions contribute to the deadlock. McCarthy consistently emphasizes his opposition to a government shutdown, stating that it would not be beneficial for anyone.
The House GOP’s proposed stopgap bill, unveiled on Friday, sought to extend funding until October 31 with across-the-board cuts of approximately 30%, making exceptions for national defense, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Homeland Security, and disaster relief funding. Additionally, the bill incorporated significant elements of the conference’s border bill, H.R. 2, addressing southern border wall construction, the hiring of border agents, and restrictions on asylum access, among other provisions.
