House Republicans are facing a challenging task of finding a consensus on how to avoid a government shutdown with just over a week remaining before the November 17 deadline, The Hill reports. The party, still finding its footing under new Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), is grappling with a long-standing issue that has historically divided its members.

Following a House GOP conference meeting on Tuesday, lawmakers revealed that various proposals were being considered, but no clear plan has emerged yet. Some of these proposals, however, are unlikely to gain traction in the Senate. The lack of a united front raises concerns about whether Republicans can rally behind their new Speaker on this critical issue.

One idea being floated is a two-step "ladder" continuing resolution (CR), which would provide funding for part of the government until December 7 and extend it until January. The aim is to encourage the passage of regular appropriations bills. Alternatively, some lawmakers are pushing for a simpler stopgap measure until January that includes conservative policies and conditions.

Looking ahead, several lawmakers are suggesting longer timelines, such as a two-step approach until January or even February, in a bid to avoid a deadline that falls just before the holidays.

Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) noted, "There continue to be a pretty wide range of views about what we should do," reflecting the ongoing discord within the party.

Amid the negotiations, Republicans have indicated that Speaker Mike Johnson will be afforded more flexibility on a stopgap measure compared to his predecessor, Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), who faced objections over his handling of government funding.

Eli Crane (R-Ariz.), one of the Republicans who voted to remove McCarthy, expressed optimism in the current leadership's willingness to think outside the box and adopt unconventional approaches.

However, the divisions within the party also signal that Speaker Johnson may encounter difficulties in unifying 217 Republicans around a single plan, possibly requiring Democratic votes to avoid a shutdown.

Despite these challenges, Speaker Johnson remains optimistic and described the morning conference meeting as a "refreshing, constructive family conversation." While he refrained from revealing the specifics, Johnson defended the two-tiered "ladder" approach, explaining that it involves a two-phase process, with one subset of bills addressed by the December deadline and the remaining bills addressed by the January deadline.

The multi-deadline idea has gained support from hard-line conservatives who have long expressed concerns about being presented with a last-minute package from the Senate shortly before the holidays. However, veteran House GOP appropriators have voiced skepticism about this concept, which they hadn't encountered before this week.

Representative Ken Calvert (R-Calif.), a House Appropriations Subcommittee chair, stated, "I don't think it's realistic," highlighting the Senate's likely rejection of such a plan.

Representative Steve Womack (R-Ark.), another House Appropriations Subcommittee chair, expressed doubts about the feasibility of juggling multiple deadlines and different approaches, stating, "Congress has a hard time walking and chewing gum."

Representative Crane, a proponent of the ladder approach, indicated that the conference appears to be evenly split, with around 50% favoring the idea.

As the November 17 deadline approaches, House Republicans are under mounting pressure to find a viable solution that can garner sufficient support within their own party and prevent a government shutdown. The coming days will determine whether Speaker Johnson can navigate the competing interests and foster the unity necessary to fund the government and avert a fiscal crisis.