"Republicans' Risky Standoff: Government Shutdown Looms"

Far-right Republicans in the US Congress are opposing a short-term spending bill, increasing the risk of a government shutdown and jeopardizing Kevin McCarthy's speakership. The bill, known as a "continuing resolution," would keep the government running until the end of October, but it remains uncertain whether it can gather enough Republican support to pass the House. Some hardline Republicans are openly embracing a shutdown as a negotiating tactic. McCarthy, who is struggling to unite a fractured caucus, hopes to move forward on a defense appropriations bill this week. The standoff poses the biggest threat to McCarthy's speakership, and failure to pass spending legislation by September 30 could lead to negotiations with Senate Democrats.