PHX Reporter

Charlie Kirk, the Founder and President of Turning Point USA, has voiced his support for a government shutdown if spending cuts and funding for Ukraine are not halted. Kirk expressed his discontent with the current state of affairs, stating, "It's simply unacceptable to normal people to spend $2 trillion you don't have on wars you can't win, defending people who aren't yours, while being invaded by people we don't know." He emphasized the need to "cut spending" and "end the Ukraine mess" in order to address these concerns. Kirk's call for action comes amid ongoing speculation about a potential government shutdown as the current fiscal year draws to a close on September 30.

On October 1, the government could face a funding shortfall, potentially leading to a government shutdown if the 12 spending bills are not approved. The shutdown would commence at 12:01 a.m. on October 1st. Disagreements over spending levels and additional aid to Ukraine have been key points of contention between Republicans and Democrats, with Republicans holding a slim majority in the House and Democrats controlling the Senate. Lawmakers are considering a short-term funding extension, known as a continuing resolution or CR, to provide more time for negotiations, as reported by NBC News.

In the event of a shutdown, the federal government would encounter difficulties in paying its 4 million employees, which could result in employee furloughs. However, essential functions such as the military and public safety roles would continue operating. Both President Joe Biden and members of Congress would also continue their work. Programs such as Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and others would remain unaffected by the shutdown, as they are not funded through the spending bills, according to NBC News.

The Biden Administration has faced criticism for the amount of funding allocated to Ukraine in the past year. The United States has provided over $111 billion in aid to Ukraine, focusing on "humanitarian, financial, and military assistance." In July, President Biden requested an additional $24 billion in funding for Ukraine, bringing the total to $135 billion, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

As the deadline for a potential government shutdown looms, the debate over spending cuts and funding for Ukraine continues to intensify. The outcome of these negotiations will have significant implications for the functioning of the federal government and the allocation of resources.