Biden blames ‘extreme Republicans’ for threatening US govt shutdown

Biden to host second summit with Pacific island leaders

FE Team | Published: September 24, 2023 22:08:25

WASHINGTON, Sept 24 (AFP): President Joe Biden on Saturday blamed "a small group of extreme Republicans" for a budget impasse that has placed the US government a week away from a shutdown, urging the lawmakers to resolve the issue.
Speaking at a Congressional Black Caucus awards dinner, Biden said he and top House Republican Kevin McCarthy had previously agreed on government spending levels.
"Now a small group of extreme Republicans don't want to live up to the deal so now everyone in America could be forced to pay the price," he said.
US lawmakers have until midnight on September 30 to reach an agreement on a spending bill, before funding for government services is due to dry up.
"Funding the government is one of the most basic responsibilities of Congress. It's time for Republicans to start doing the job America elected them to do. Let's get this done," Biden added.
A government shutdown would put the finances of hundreds of thousands of workers at federal parks, museums, and other sites at risk, but it could also carry significant political costs for Biden, who is running for re-election.
The White House wants any budget bill passed by lawmakers to include $24 billion in military and humanitarian aid for Kyiv.
While such a plan is supported by Democrats and Republicans in the Senate, it is radically opposed by some members of the House.
The budget vote in Congress regularly turns into a standoff between the two parties, with each camp using the prospect of a shutdown to obtain concessions from the other-until a solution is found at the last minute.
A Reuters report adds: President Joe Biden will host a second summit with Pacific island leaders this week, part of a US charm offensive to block further Chinese inroads into a strategic region Washington has long considered its own backyard.
During the three-day meeting, the US will announce diplomatic recognition for two Pacific islands, promise new money for infrastructure, including to improve Internet connectivity via undersea cables, and honor regional leaders at an NFL game.
Biden held an inaugural summit with the islanders at the White House a year ago and was due to meet them again in Papua New Guinea in May. That plan was scrapped when a US debt- ceiling crisis forced Biden to cut short an Asia trip.
At last year's summit with 14 Pacific island nations, Biden's administration pledged to help islanders fend off China's "economic coercion" and a joint declaration resolved to strengthen their partnership, saying they shared a vision for a region where "democracy will be able to flourish."
The White House said this year's effort would focus on priorities including climate change, economic growth, sustainable development, public health and countering illegal fishing.
The United States will also officially recognize the Cook Islands and another small nation, Niue, for the first time during the summit.
In Baltimore on Sunday, the leaders will see a Coast Guard cutter in the harbor and be briefed on combating illegal fishing by the Commandant of the Coast Guard, an official said.