House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has stated that he wants to avoid a government shutdown in the United States because it would reduce his party's bargaining power in negotiations over expenditure cutbacks requested by Republicans.
"I want to make sure we don't shut down," McCarthy said on Fox News' Sunday Morning Futures. "I don't think that's a win for the American people, and I definitely think it'll make our hand weaker if we shut down."
With the federal government swiftly reaching the end of its fiscal year on September 30, the Republican leader noted signs of progress in pushing funding bills through the House. He didn't elaborate.
Some House Republicans stated last week that they are confident Congress would not be able to avert a partial government shutdown or even strike an agreement to temporarily extend government funding.
McCarthy's commitment on averting a shutdown has put him at odds with House GOP conservatives who are demanding spending cutbacks, border security measures,
and other demands that Democrats have declared they oppose. "I've never seen anyone win a shutdown," he stated on Sunday.
McCarthy indicated last week that he expected the defense appropriations bill to be debated on the House floor this week, "win or lose."
McCarthy was forced to withdraw a Pentagon spending plan from the House floor last week due to a lack of support within his own party.
He also stated, "I believe we'll get agreement this week" on spending bills. McCarthy was referring to a deal among House Republicans, according to a source familiar with the situation.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries described the Republican fight in the chamber as a "civil war" that is dragging them toward a shutdown and an impeachment investigation of President Joe Biden.