Government Shutdown Looms as Congress Faces Deep Divisions between House and Senate

With the government funding deadline just three days away, Congress is on track for a shutdown as the House and Senate remain deadlocked on a way forward.

The Senate is pushing to move forward with a bipartisan temporary bill that would fund the government until November 17 and offer Ukraine and disaster relief assistance. However, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has disregarded this bill and is preparing for a vote on a Republican temporary bill that includes provisions for border security, even though it's uncertain if there will be enough Republican support for it to pass in the House.

With the September 30 shutdown deadline looming, the federal government is taking necessary measures to prepare for its potential consequences. A shutdown would significantly affect various sectors throughout the country, including air travel and access to clean drinking water. While numerous government operations would cease, essential services would still be maintained.

The immediate impact of a shutdown will be felt by the nearly 4 million federal employees in the United States. While essential workers will continue working, others will be furloughed without pay until the shutdown ends. This lack of income will strain finances for many, as was seen during the previous 35-day funding lapse in 2018-2019. Both Democrats and Republicans have been emphasizing the potential consequences of a shutdown as they caution against any interruption in funding.

"It is crucial to bear in mind that in the event of a government shutdown, the border patrol, who are invested in enhancing border security, would still be required to work without compensation," stated Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell during a press conference on Wednesday.

During a government shutdown, US Border Patrol agents, acknowledged as essential personnel, will persist in carrying out their duties in law enforcement, which encompass apprehending individuals who unlawfully cross the border - notwithstanding not being remunerated.

The White House is expressing concerns regarding the significant impact on air travel due to the lack of payment for tens of thousands of air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration personnel. In the previous shutdown in 2019, numerous TSA officers opted to not work, seeking alternative means of income. It has been cautioned by the White House that a shutdown may result in substantial delays for travelers nationwide.

The White House has issued a warning regarding the potential impact on national security, highlighting the adverse consequences for the 1.3 million active-duty troops who would go unpaid in the event of a shutdown. While the Senate is actively progressing with its bipartisan bill, the timing for the final vote in the chamber remains uncertain.

GOP Senator Rand Paul from Kentucky has stated that he intends to impede the progress of any legislation that provides further funding to Ukraine. It remains uncertain whether the bill can be passed before the shutdown deadline, as it requires the approval of all 100 members to expedite the review process.

Furthermore, although there is no current schedule, it is anticipated that the House will vote on a temporary measure proposed by the GOP on Friday.

The chamber has been conducting debates and making amendments to a series of spending bills. It remains uncertain whether any of these bills can successfully pass, which could lead to another disorderly confrontation on the House floor. Even if these spending bills were to pass, they would ultimately be unsuccessful in the Senate.

This report includes contributions from CNN's Betsy Klein and Tami Luhby.