GOP Civil War Escalates as Hardliners Block Defense Spending Bill and McCarthy Faces Lose-Lose Predicament

House GOP hardliners, led by the House Freedom Caucus, blocked debate on their party's defense spending bill in a procedural vote, exacerbating the ongoing civil war within the Republican Party. The move comes as GOP lawmakers are still divided over an upcoming spending confrontation with the Senate, just 12 days away from a government shutdown. The failed vote further complicates GOP efforts to pass annual government funding bills, and it remains uncertain what the House can pass with a shutdown looming. The defense bill, loaded with conservative provisions, has little chance of passing a Democratic-led Senate.