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House Republicans held a conference call on Tuesday to discuss plans to avert a potential government shutdown and pass a crucial defense spending bill. With just days left before the end of the fiscal year on September 30, lawmakers are facing immense pressure to reach a consensus and pass legislation to fund the government.

During the conference call, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy urged his fellow Republicans to support a continuing resolution (CR) that would fund the government through December 3. The CR would buy more time for negotiations on the fiscal year 2022 spending bills, which have been delayed due to disagreements over key issues such as border wall funding and abortion.

While Republicans expressed concerns about the short-term nature of the CR, McCarthy emphasized the importance of avoiding a government shutdown and ensuring that the military is adequately funded. He argued that passing a defense spending bill would provide stability and certainty to the armed forces.

The focus on defense spending is particularly significant as the Biden administration has requested a budget increase for the Pentagon, aiming to counter challenges posed by China and Russia. McCarthy stated that a strong defense is crucial for national security and urged his colleagues to put partisan differences aside to support the defense bill.

However, some House Republicans remained skeptical about the strategy, questioning whether a short-term CR would effectively address the fiscal challenges faced by the government. Representative Kevin Brady, the top Republican on the House Ways and Means Committee, highlighted the need to address the debt ceiling and find a long-term solution to government funding.

Despite these concerns, House Republicans ultimately agreed to support the CR and defense spending measure, with the aim of avoiding a government shutdown. The decision to pass a defense bill could also have broader implications for negotiations over the fiscal year 2022 spending bills, as it may pave the way for bipartisan cooperation on other key issues.

This conference call comes at a crucial time, as lawmakers face increasing pressure to find a solution to fund the government and avoid a potential shutdown. If a spending bill is not passed before the fiscal year ends, federal agencies would be forced to shut down, impacting various government services and causing significant disruptions.

Both parties will need to work together to find common ground and reach a compromise on the spending bills. The outcome of these negotiations will have far-reaching implications for the functioning of the government and the delivery of essential services.

As the clock ticks down, it remains to be seen whether the conference call and subsequent discussions will lead to a concrete agreement on government funding. With the threat of a shutdown looming, lawmakers must act swiftly to prevent a potential crisis and ensure the smooth functioning of the government.