Republicans Scramble to Avoid Shutdown Fallout

As right-wing Republicans push Congress towards a government shutdown, vulnerable Republicans, particularly those representing districts won by President Biden, are working to avoid blame for the chaos caused by their party's extreme members. Representative Mike Lawler, one of 18 House Republicans in Biden-won districts, is emphasizing his opposition to a shutdown and his efforts to bring a bipartisan spending patch to the floor. Mainstream Republicans are frustrated with their hard-line counterparts and have explored working with Democrats to keep the government open. However, the hard-liners blocking government funding are expected to face the brunt of any political backlash.