McConnell Warns GOP: ‘A Government Shutdown Would Be Politically Beyond Stupid’
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Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) is urging his Republican colleagues in the House to avoid triggering a government shutdown as the end of the month approaches, fearing it could severely damage their chances in the upcoming election. According to The Daily Beast, McConnell is deeply concerned that Republicans would bear the brunt of the blame if a shutdown occurs.
“One thing you cannot have is a government shutdown. It would be politically beyond stupid for us to do that right before the election because certainly, we’d get the blame,” McConnell told reporters. He referenced an old saying to emphasize his point: “One of my favorite old sayings is there’s no education in the second kick of a mule. We’ve been here before.”
McConnell’s remarks appear to recall past shutdown battles, particularly the 2013 shutdown led by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) in an attempt to defund the Affordable Care Act, which ended in a public backlash against Republicans. “I’m for whatever avoids a government shutdown,” McConnell added, noting that the final resolution would likely involve a discussion between Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA).
The situation in the House has been chaotic, as Republicans struggle to agree on a plan to fund the government. Speaker Johnson has tried to tie government funding to the SAVE Act, a GOP priority that would impose stricter voter registration requirements by requiring proof of citizenship. However, Johnson faces resistance within his own party, particularly from the far-right faction that opposes a temporary funding bill on principle and feels the SAVE Act doesn’t go far enough to justify the compromise.
Further complicating the matter, former President Donald Trump has called on House Republicans to pass the funding bill with the SAVE Act attached or allow the government to shut down if they cannot secure the votes. This pressure from Trump adds another layer of difficulty to the already fractious negotiations.
As the deadline approaches, McConnell’s warnings about the political risks of a shutdown underscore the deep divisions within the GOP over how to proceed, with the party’s internal conflicts threatening to overshadow its legislative goals.
