Biden warns GOP extremists: Government shutdown a threat to all

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
24 Sep 2023 16:05
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US President Joe Biden warns that the government shutdown has repercussions on a wide range of areas, including food security and cancer research.

US President Joe Biden speaks at a congressional awards dinner in Washington on Saturday. (AP)

US President Joe Biden cautioned that if "extremist" members of the Republican Party abstain from voting on the new budget, potentially leading to a government shutdown, it would impact all citizens of the nation.

"Just a few months ago, after long negotiations between myself and the new [House of Representatives] speaker [Kevin McCarthy], we agreed the spending level of government will fund essential domestic and national security priorities while still cutting the deficit by $1 trillion over the next decade. Now, a small group of extreme Republicans don’t want to live up to the deal, so now everyone in America could be forced to pay the price," Biden said addressing the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation.

He cautioned that the government shutdown would have repercussions on a wide range of areas, including food security and cancer research, adding that "It's time for the Republicans to start doing the job America elected them to do."

A recent survey revealed that a significant majority of American adults expressed concerns about the potential impact of a federal government shutdown, with over half indicating that such an event would personally affect them, Axios said in a report on Friday.

Moreover, a substantial 68 percent of respondents stated that the mere threat of a shutdown erodes their trust in the government.

This survey sheds light on the potential chaos that could ensue if House Republicans fail to reach an agreement to fund the government before the looming September 30 deadline.

According to the findings of the nonpartisan Partnership for Public Service polling institution, a significant number of both Democrats (65 percent) and Republicans (46 percent) fear this scenario would personally impact them.

The incorporation of financial aid for Ukraine in the US defense budget encountered significant resistance from several House of Representatives members, impeding its approval.

Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene recently announced her intention to vote against the Pentagon bill as long as it contains funds for Ukraine.

The US Congress is required to pass a comprehensive or short-term budget before October 1, marking the conclusion of the current fiscal year, to prevent a government shutdown.