Chuck Schumer and Mitch McConnell have agreed to fund the government until February. This comes after a previous continuing resolution McConnell had agreed to was set to expire tomorrow.
Democrats will have additional time to negotiate big-spending plans. McConnell is not likely to resort to the threat of shutdown as a way to obtain concessions. Some GOP senators pledged to stop any agreement if the federal funding required for vaccine mandates is not included in it.
Schumer spoke today on the Senate Floor to announce the agreement. Other than the $7 billion increase in Afghan refugee aid, there are not many details.
.@SenSchumer: […]A continuing resolution will ensure that the federal government is funded until mid-February next year. This compromise is acceptable and gives enough time. […]”To conclude negotiations.” pic.twitter.com/hF89Kr2wYY
— The Hill (@thehill) December 2, 2021
It is unclear if this continual resolution will include a debt ceiling hike like the previous one. McConnell promised at the time that such a deal would never be made again. It was hoped that the deal would make it more difficult for Democrats to try to reconcile with Republicans to prevent government default. McConnell did not resign on this point. I can’t say for sure — until we get the final word on what is and isn’t included.
Note that McConnell might have ended up agreeing the debt ceiling was raised. An article I wrote previously suggested that he wouldn’t do so. If he goes back on his word and doesn’t force Democrats to use reconciliation, that will be a huge betrayal by the Minority Leader and a swing and miss by me.
Still, even if the debt ceiling isn’t raised in this deal (that deadline is December 15th), it is disappointing to see McConnell punt on at least getting something in return for handing Democrats another lifeline. And no, funding for Afghan refugees, most of whom haven’t even been properly vetted, is not a win for Republicans. This was something that the White House actually wanted. Mike Lee was among the senators who asked McConnell not to fund vaccine mandates in return for any agreement.
And while I’m sure some people will assure me this is 4-D chess by McConnell, I’m not buying it until I get more evidence that’s the case. If this agreement was made because he wants to keep Joe Manchin in line, that’s still not a good excuse. It was several months ago, but it’s not anymore. At some point, Manchin can’t keep stringing Republicans along and he needs to own whatever decision he makes on the “Build Back Better” bill. Let West Virginia take care of him if he doesn’t do the right thing.
McConnell is a victim of his own backstabbing, insisting that he won’t shut down the government in the past. McConnell has no leverage and should not be afraid of a government shutdown. When it happens, all we do is go about our lives while people that shouldn’t have government jobs in the first place sit at home for a few weeks. It plays into the hands of the left to pretend a shutdown is a catastrophic event — because it’s clearly not. Did you recall the time that a shutdown was portrayed as certain doom in 2013 for Republicans? In 2014, the GOP won the Senate and the whole 2016 election.
Stop being afraid to play hardball. Make a deal and get something in return. It is necessary to make the other side see you as a human being and not let them down. Otherwise, what’s the point?
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