Explainer7 US lawmakers to watch in government shutdown talks
- Republicans seem unable to agree on demands to keep funding federal operations, much less reach a deal with Democrats and Joe Biden
- Resolution could hinge on six men and one woman in the deeply fractured House, including speaker Kevin McCarthy
A US government shutdown is now a near-certainty, with House Republicans unable to even agree on their demands to continue funding federal operations, much less reach a deal with Democrats and President Joe Biden.
Hardline Republicans have rejected a deal the Republican-led House negotiated with Biden in May for US$1.59 trillion in discretionary spending in fiscal 2024, paving the way for wide swathes of the government to shut down for the fourth time in a decade.
Everything from economic data releases to food benefits may be suspended beginning on Sunday, and some 2.2 million government workers may be furloughed or forced to work without pay.
The average member of the American Federation of Government Employees earns between US$55,000 and US$65,000 a year, but thousands of hourly workers earn much less, about US$31,200 a year. These workers will all get back pay after the furlough or shutdown is over, but contract workers, who earn even less, are not eligible for back pay.
The ultimate resolution hinges on these seven lawmakers and how they navigate the complicated dynamics in the deeply fractured House.
The Contortionist
Kevin McCarthy, 58, has bent himself in uncomfortable ways to satisfy the conflicting demands of House Republicans’ divergent factions ever since becoming speaker in January.