House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) this week had to cancel votes and call a recess after a small group of his GOP colleagues refused to back must-pass spending legislation.
A GOP compromise deal to avoid a looming Oct. 1 government shutdown collapsed almost as quickly as it was unveiled. The revolt continued when a handful of defectors sank floor votes on defense appropriations legislation twice this week in a defeat for McCarthy.
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“This is a whole new concept of individuals who just want to burn the whole place down,” a frustrated McCarthy said Thursday when he sent the House into recess. “It doesn’t work.”
It was not immediately clear if McCarthy could unify his GOP caucus around a new plan to pass spending legislation or if he'd turn to Democrats on a bipartisan compromise to keep the government open, a move that could jeopardize his speakership.
Also this week, Attorney General Merrick Garland defended the Justice Department's handling of the Hunter Biden investigation; Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) relaxed the dress code to permit Sen. John Fetterman's casual attire; and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky appealed to Washington for more assistance to defeat Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
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Here's a look at scenes from Washington during the week of Sept. 18, 2023, captured by Washington Examiner photographer Graeme Jennings.
McCarthy fails to pass a spending plan to avoid a government shutdown on Oct. 1
Rep. Pramila Jayapal and Democrats slammed GOP for chaos and inability to govern
Garland grilled by House Judiciary Committee about Hunter Biden investigation
Outrage grows over Fetterman's shorts and sneakers after Schumer relaxes dress code
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky comes to Washington to seek more U.S. support to beat Russia
JD Vance wants to ban federal COVID-19 mask mandates