House Republicans are scrambling to devise a plan to avoid a government shutdown as the November 17 deadline approaches, according to NBC News. While there is no appetite among House Republicans for another crisis, the lack of progress and the uncertainty surrounding the new House speaker have raised concerns.

Following the chaotic speaker fight that lasted for three weeks, Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., has yet to announce a concrete plan after exploring various options with his fellow Republicans. The details and next steps of a short-term funding bill, known as a continuing resolution (CR), remain uncertain.

The House Republicans are divided in their opinions on how the CR should be structured. However, they agree that a government shutdown on November 17 would be detrimental and would lead to further internal strife within the GOP. Furthermore, a shutdown would distract the party from passing its remaining funding bills, which are necessary to kickstart negotiations with the Senate on longer-term spending.

While Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., did not reveal his preferences on the funding bill, he expressed hopes for bipartisan agreement to swiftly move forward. Efforts are being made to coordinate between the House and Senate, with Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, the top Senate GOP appropriator, scheduled to discuss the path forward on government funding with Speaker Johnson.

The challenge for House Republicans lies in finding a solution that can garner the support of 218 lawmakers. Some conservatives are adamant about not backing a clean funding bill without conservative priorities, while others are considering attaching aid for Israel or Ukraine to the CR. Despite the different approaches, lawmakers understand the need to avoid a shutdown and are willing to be flexible to find a solution that maximizes their leverage with the Senate.

While Speaker Johnson may put a relatively clean CR on the floor just before the shutdown deadline, some lawmakers believe the most realistic scenario is passing a clean CR and then a full budget. After the difficulties faced during the speaker's race, many in the Republican Party are keen to avoid another motion to vacate and give the newly elected speaker more breathing room.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., has stated that the next steps on a stopgap bill will be determined by Schumer in the Senate, who will then need to coordinate with Speaker Johnson.

As the deadline approaches, the focus remains on finding a bipartisan solution to avert a government shutdown, ensuring that the lights stay on in Washington and allowing lawmakers to continue their work without the distractions caused by a funding crisis.

It is crucial for House Republicans to come together and present a plan that can pass both chambers of Congress, providing stability and certainty in government operations. Failure to do so may have far-reaching consequences and cause further political turmoil.

Title: House Republicans Seek Plan to Avert Government Shutdown as Deadline Looms