September 30, 2017 is quickly approaching, and when Congress returns to D.C. they will immediately enter negotiations to raise the debt ceiling. The threat of a government shutdown grows with every passing day, even before President Donald Trump promised a shutdown if Congress does not fund his controversial border wall. The President made the threat in front of supporters at a rally in Phoenix where he said “if we have to close down our government, we’re building that wall.”
The departure of Steve Bannon has left the President surrounded by a more conventional team of staffers who will be more willing to strike a deal, but the President’s cold war with Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) is making the process difficult. The President has not spoken with McConnell in weeks, and is openly criticizing the Majority Leader for failing to repeal and replace Obamacare. McConnell issued a statement on Wednesday expressing his commitment to working with the President on advancing the Republican agenda. House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) played down the prospect of a shutdown, telling reporters Wednesday that even if the wall debate remains unresolved, Congress probably would pass a stopgap extension of funding to prevent a lapse when the fiscal year ends on September 30, 2017. The President is meeting with GOP leadership from the House and Senate when they get back from congressional recess after Labor Day. Congress will likely pass a continuing resolution to avoid a complete government shutdown.