The US House of Representatives has made significant progress in its effort to pass funding bills and avoid a government shutdown, but there is still much work to be done. On Thursday, the House passed two more bills, bringing the total to five, but four more bills still need to be passed by Congress before the January 19 deadline.
Senate Approval Remains Uncertain
Despite the House's progress, Senate approval is still uncertain, and lawmakers are growing increasingly concerned about the looming deadline. The Senate is expected to take up the bills in the coming days, but it is unclear whether they will be able to pass them.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has expressed concerns about the lack of a comprehensive spending package, saying that the bills being passed by the House are "piecemeal" and do not address the underlying issues facing the government.
Lawmakers React to Progress
Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have reacted to the House's progress with mixed emotions. Some have praised the progress, saying that it is a step in the right direction, while others have expressed concerns about the lack of a comprehensive spending package.
"We're making progress, but we still have a long way to go," said House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA). "We need to work together to pass these bills and avoid a government shutdown."
House Majority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) also praised the progress, saying that the bills being passed by the House are "a step in the right direction" and that they will help to avert a government shutdown.
Government Shutdown Looms
The looming government shutdown has been a major concern for lawmakers in recent weeks, with many expressing fears about the impact it could have on the country. A government shutdown would result in the furlough of thousands of government employees and would cause significant disruptions to government services.
Lawmakers are working around the clock to pass the remaining bills and avoid a government shutdown, but it is unclear whether they will be successful. The deadline for passing the bills is January 19, and time is running out.
"We need to work together to pass these bills and avoid a government shutdown," said McCarthy. "We owe it to the American people to get this done."
The House and Senate will continue to work on the funding bills in the coming days, with the goal of passing them before the January 19 deadline. If they are unable to pass the bills, a government shutdown could result, causing significant disruptions to government services and the economy.