As the deadline for funding the federal government looms on September 30, speculation arises over the motivations behind the potential shutdown. Prominent Republicans are ringing alarm bells, saying that Democrats have an ulterior motive — halting GOP-led House investigations into President Joe Biden and his family’s business dealings.
Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) is among those leading the charge. In an appearance last weekend on Fox News Channel’s “Sunday Morning Futures,” Blackburn claimed, “What we do know is that the Democrats would like to have that government shutdown because it would halt these investigations that the House is working on.” She also alleged that Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) is pushing for a shutdown to help him retain his Senate leadership status.
Blackburn: Democrats Would Like a Government Shutdown Because It Would Halt House Investigations https://t.co/0rolDuQfR4 via @BreitbartNews
— 👠 Laura #Covfefe 👠 (@mwenger1993) September 4, 2023
Blackburn’s point is worth examining. The investigations spearheaded by House Republicans are delving into the relationships between Joe Biden and Biden Incorporated. According to Blackburn, Tennesseans and the American public are eager to know what happened, and “for people that did things wrong, they want them to be punished.”
If the government does shut down, these inquiries would grind to a halt. At a time when the GOP is pushing to get these investigations completed, a pause could serve Democratic interests. It’s a scenario that gives Republicans cause for concern, especially when Democrats like Schumer send out letters advising the Republican-controlled House to follow the Senate’s lead in passing appropriations bills “to avoid a harmful and unnecessary government shutdown.”
Tonight, I made an announcement directly to my constituents at my Floyd County Town Hall.
I will not vote to fund the government if Congress doesn’t do this:
– Impeachment Inquiry vote on Joe Biden
– Defund Biden’s weaponization of government
– Eliminate all COVID vaccine and… pic.twitter.com/2WXd4CrV7R— Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene🇺🇸 (@RepMTG) August 31, 2023
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) adds another layer to the narrative. She recently posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, that she would refuse to vote for government funding until an impeachment inquiry begins against President Biden. Greene says the White House attacked her for this stance, calling her part of the “hardcore fringe” of the GOP. But are her demands so unreasonable when set against serious allegations against the President?
Even Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) indicated he would move forward with an impeachment inquiry if there’s a formal House vote. Yet, all of this could be jeopardized if a shutdown occurs.
It’s not just about politics. A government shutdown has real-world consequences. While Social Security payments are expected to continue, customer service for claimants and beneficiaries could be severely affected. The White House, for its part, has urged Congress to adopt a short-term measure to fund the government and avoid a shutdown.
In the coming days, the focus will be on whether both parties can agree on a spending bill. But for Republicans, the shadow of halted investigations and unfulfilled public demand for accountability will loom large in the negotiations.
