Former GOP deputy whip calls spending fight ‘puberty for grownups’

Rep. Drew Ferguson (R-Ga.), a former GOP deputy whip, took aim Tuesday at the spending fight that is dividing the Republican conference and threatening to shut down the government. 

“I think eventually we do get there,” he said at a Politico event when asked if Congress will avoid a government shutdown. “But as I’ve said a couple of times today, this appears to be nothing more than puberty for grownups. Everybody’s emotional and nobody’s making good decisions.”

Ferguson, who lost the three-way race for the House majority whip in November, is just the latest Republican who has expressed frustration over the conference’s failure to unite and vote to keep the government funded beyond Sept. 30.

In particular, Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) has received sharp criticism as he faces a divided GOP conference unwilling to back a continuing resolution proposal. House GOP leadership pulled a procedural vote Tuesday on the rule to allow the Republican continuing resolution (CR) proposal to move forward, signaling that leadership is worried that members of the right flank may vote to block the bill from advancing.

Republicans can only lose four of their own votes if everyone in the House votes, but at least a dozen GOP House members have signaled that they would oppose the proposal if it is brought to the floor.

The proposal was put forward by GOP leadership Sunday night, but a handful of conservative members are demanding additional spending cuts if they are going to vote in favor of the legislation. Even if the bill makes it past the narrow GOP majority in the House, it will likely face an uphill battle in the Senate, where Democrats are in control.

In addition, five Republicans voted against advancing the GOP’s Pentagon funding bill Tuesday. It’s rare for lawmakers to block their own party from advancing legislation, and votes on rules — which govern debate on legislation — are usually routine matters.

This demonstrates the ongoing turmoil within the Republican conference, which also has GOP senators alarmed that a government shutdown may be imminent.