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Funding progress in both chambers of Congress is at a standstill with 15 days left until the deadline for a government shutdown.
Senate Republicans objected Thursday to another ‘minibus’ bill that would combine three spending measures into one. They want the bills brought to the floor separately so that conservatives can be more thorough, maximize bargaining leverage, and match the House’s efforts gain ground against the left.
But Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) accused Republicans of mimicking the House Freedom Caucus.
Tensions Freedom Caucus members and Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) boiled over on Thursday. The speaker apparently dropped the f-bomb in a closed-door meeting as he dared the Republican hardliners to file a motion to vacate against him.
Those caucus members punted the defense appropriations bill on Wednesday, stalling progress in that chamber. McCarthy made these remarks afterward.
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) responded that the Speaker should keep his word on balanced budgets and term limits rather than emotionally cursing. Funding discussions will begin again on Monday.