House Behind Schedule, Govt Shutdown Looms: Will Hardball Tactics Backfire?

Congress is facing a race against time to reach a spending deal and avert a possible government shutdown before Nov. 17.

House GOP leaders plan to introduce a short-term spending bill for a vote on Tuesday, with its text expected to be released over the weekend.

Two main options are being considered for the spending bill: a 'clean' extension of last year's funding or a 'laddered' approach proposed by conservative House GOP lawmakers.

If the laddered approach is chosen, it will likely result in a showdown with the Senate, as Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has advanced a bill for a 'clean' continuing resolution.

Conservatives have opposed the 'clean' resolution, labeling it an extension of progressive policies from the previous Democrat-controlled Congress.

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries denounced the 'laddered' approach, warning it could have a negative impact on the economy.

Meanwhile, House Republicans are struggling to keep up with an ambitious appropriations schedule set by Speaker Mike Johnson.

Schumer has made it clear that Democrats will only accept a clean CR and not a stopgap measure.

Both chambers of Congress are currently $120 billion apart in their funding negotiations.

The unity achieved among House Republicans with Johnson's election as speaker may be short-lived, as ideological divisions remain apparent.

Time is running out for a spending deal, and the pressure is mounting as the speaker's honeymoon period could be on the verge of expiration.