Speaker McCarthy Seeks to Avert Shutdown
U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy continued efforts to broker an intra party deal that would prevent a government shutdown after September 30. McCarthy has tried to appease the most conservative wing of his party while not alienating vulnerable members who face tough reelection campaigns next year. The speaker may ultimately be forced to reach an agreement with Democrats to avert a shutdown and backchannel conversations are underway. That event might lead to a revolt by the hardline Freedom Caucus who have already threatened to introduce a motion to vacate.
How many Democrats has McCarthy called?
Instructors: click the link below to download this week’s lecture for use in your classroom. The deck contains a writing prompt and a debate question as well as other assessment questions.
Download: CQP_Lecture_Spark_PPT_Speaker McCarthy Seeks to Avert Shutdown
Videos
News Articles
How a government shutdown could impact Americans
CNN
9/24/23
https://www.cnn.com/2023/09/24/politics/government-shutdown-impacts/index.html
The U.S. federal government is headed into a shutdown. What does it mean, who’s hit and what’s next?
US government shutdown: What is it and who would be affected?
Reuters
9/23/23
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-government-shutdown-what-closes-what-stays-open-2023-09-21/
Pay for millions of federal workers is at risk with a looming government shutdown
NBC News
9/24/23
McCarthy stares into the shutdown abyss
Politico
9/23/23
https://www.politico.com/news/2023/09/23/mccarthy-stares-into-shutdown-abyss-00117658
One week to go: Kevin McCarthy, Joe Biden brace for potential government shutdown
USA Today
9/23/23
The history of government shutdowns and how long they last
Axios
9/24/23
https://www.axios.com/2023/09/24/federal-government-shutdown-history-list
Who does a government shutdown affect most? Here’s what happens to the agencies Americans rely on.
CBS News
9/22/23
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/government-shutdown-federal-agencies-affected/
Assessment
Writing: Explain why Speaker McCarthy has been so reluctant to cooperate with Democrats to keep the government open. Which important announcement did McCarthy make recently about the Biden administration that was seen as a concession to the more conservative members of his party?
Debate: Should essential workers be required to work if they are not being paid?
Poll: Should continued U.S. financial support of the Ukrainian war be part of any deal to keep the government open?
Short Answer: What would happen to national parks and museums during a shutdown?
News Quiz
True/False
A continuing resolution (CR) would fund the government under current levels. (T/F)
The Women with Infant Children (WIC) program could cease giving food assistance to 7 million pregnant women, mothers, and infant children during a protracted shutdown. (T/F)
It is estimated that the travel industry would lose 140 million daily in a government shutdown. (T/F)
Multiple Choice
Which Republican lawmaker has most directly challenged Kevin McCarthy’s speakership?
- Matt Gaetz
- Tommy Tuberville
- Steve Scalise
- Mitt Romney
Why do many analysts believe that this shutdown would have a more negative effect on the economy?
- persistent inflation
- more federal workers would go without pay
- the end of COVID era benefits
- all these answers are correct
On what issue did former President Trump relent that ended the last government shutdown?
- his insistence on money for Ukraine
- his insistence on an increased minimum wage
- his insistence on immigration reform
- his insistence on money for a border wall
