Government shutdown only hours away in United States

Faced with a rebellion by fellow hard-line Republicans, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy is trying to secure agreement on a temporary 45-day respite. It's not clear if the measure - stripped aid to Ukraine - will pass, the BBC reported. The fourth shutdown to occur over the past decade, it could affect everything from air travel to marriage licenses.

A new vote is being held in the US House of Representatives among indications of a government shutdown beginning at midnight on Saturday, the media reported.

Faced with a rebellion by fellow hard-line Republicans, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy is trying to secure agreement on a temporary 45-day respite.

Advertisement

It's not clear if the measure - stripped aid to Ukraine - will pass, the BBC reported.

The fourth shutdown to occur over the past decade, it could affect everything from air travel to marriage licenses.

Advertisement

Most government employees will be furloughed without pay, and crucial nutrition programmes will be halted, the BBC reported.

It follows a hard-right revolt in the US House of Representatives.

Advertisement

Republicans control the House by a slim majority, while Democrats hold the Senate by a single seat.

That means spending bills to keep the government open require buy-in from both parties in order to advance through both chambers to President Joe Biden's desk.

Advertisement

On Saturday morning, Speaker McCarthy said he would put a 45-day continuing resolution (CR) plan to the floor -- a stop-gap would keep federal agencies open until Congress can agree on a new funding bill, the BBC reported.

The CR would include disaster relief funding, but would not include US foreign aid for Ukraine, which Democrats have been insisting on.

Advertisement

A rebel faction of right-wing Republicans has, so far, held up negotiations in the House, the lower congressional chamber, with a demand for significant cuts in spending, including a call for no more US funding of the war in Ukraine.

Also read | US misses the 'bigger picture' on row with Canada, says S Jaishankar

Advertisement

Also read | Republican-led House fails to approve stopgap bill as US govt braces for another shutdown

Advertisement