"House GOP Proposes Telework Restrictions and Drastic Spending Cuts to Avert Government Shutdown"
House Republicans have faced obstacles in passing fiscal 2024 funding bills, leading to the withdrawal of measures funding various agencies. With a potential government shutdown looming, House Speaker Mike Johnson has proposed a short-term plan to divide government funding into two buckets, running through Jan. 19 and Feb. 2 respectively. The House has passed seven of the 12 annual appropriations bills, but at lower funding levels than agreed upon in the debt limit deal with President Biden. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is seeking a bipartisan path forward to avoid a shutdown, while Republicans aim to use their passed bills as a starting point for negotiations. The House bills include spending cuts, such as clawing back previous funding, banning diversity efforts, Pentagon civilian cuts, severe reductions at State, and significant cuts to the EPA. Additionally, Republicans seek to reduce telework by requiring federal employees to work in the office as much as before the pandemic.