McConnell: Government Shutdown Before Election ‘Politically Beyond Stupid’

The Senate Minority Leader says allowing the government to shut down before the midterm elections would be a "terrible idea."

The government shutdown looms as a potential political disaster for Republicans.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has called a government shutdown before the midterm elections “politically beyond stupid.” McConnell made the remarks during an interview on Fox News on Sunday.

“I think it would be a terrible idea,” McConnell said. “I think it would be very, very damaging to the country and I think it would be very, very damaging to our party.”

McConnell’s comments come as Republicans and Democrats are locked in a standoff over funding for the government. The current continuing resolution (CR) expires on December 11th, and if a new CR or budget is not passed by then, the government will shut down.

Republicans are demanding that any new CR include funding for President Trump’s border wall, while Democrats are refusing to provide any funding for the wall. The two sides have been unable to reach a compromise, and the shutdown deadline is fast approaching.

A government shutdown would have a significant impact on the country. Hundreds of thousands of federal employees would be furloughed, and many government services would be disrupted.

The shutdown would also likely have a negative impact on the economy. A study by the Congressional Budget Office found that a government shutdown for one month would reduce GDP by $6.5 billion.

McConnell’s comments reflect the growing concern among Republicans that a government shutdown would be a political disaster for the party. The GOP is already facing an uphill battle in the midterm elections, and a shutdown would only make things worse.

Democrats are also aware of the political risks of a shutdown. However, they are hoping that by standing firm on their demand for no funding for the wall, they can force Republicans to back down.

The standoff over government funding is likely to continue until the very end. If a compromise is not reached by December 11th, the government will shut down.