Sunday shows preview: Pressure mounts as government shutdown deadline inches closer

The increasing threat of a government shutdown, potentially just a week away, will likely be the focus of the Sunday news shows after a busy week.

The federal government is scheduled to run out of money at the end of the month unless Congress can pass a budget or temporary funding measures in time. The House GOP is in crisis as hard-line conservatives rebel against attempts by Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) to pass appropriations bills.

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), one of those hard-line conservatives, is set to appear on Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures.”

Gaetz has threatened to kick McCarthy out of office over the funding fight and other disagreements with the Speaker. 

A shutdown appears more likely by the day as conservative dissenters show no sign of working with McCarthy and a majority of Republicans who wish to pass budget. But, even if they can agree, it will be unlikely that a McCarthy-backed plan can pass the Democratic Senate.

McCarthy has said that he hopes to pass a short-term funding measure this week, hinting that he may be open to a bipartisan plan put up by the Problem Solvers Caucus, which would maintain funding at its current level, giving Congress more time to hash out a full budget.

Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), a co-chair of that caucus, is scheduled to appear on CNN’s “State of the Union.”

The intra-party conflict has brought McCarthy under mass criticism from Democrats, who are demanding that the Speaker stick by his promise to make small budget cuts, as agreed in a bipartisan deal earlier this year.

Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) blasted McCarthy on Saturday, saying that he is being beholden to the interests of a small number of conservative holdouts in his caucus.

“I don’t think they have an endgame,” Clyburn said of the holdouts. “I think what they’re attempting to do is satisfy the five or six people that they made some kind of a deal with… It’s like the tail wagging the dog. They don’t have a plan.”

Clyburn is scheduled to appear on NBC’s “Meet the Press” on Sunday.

Ongoing labor disputes in Detroit are also likely to make headlines in the Sunday shows. United Auto Workers expanded its strike against the “Big Three” automakers on Friday to 38 new plants across the country.

President Biden has backed the strikes and announced that he will walk with picketing workers in Michigan on Tuesday.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is set to work triple duty this week, likely talking about the auto industry, making appearances on ABC’s “This Week,” “Meet the Press” and “State of the Union.”

The war in Ukraine is also back in focus as Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky visited New York City and Washington this week to meet with Biden and congressional leaders as well as address the United Nations General Assembly.

Ukrainian First Lady Olena Zelenska is scheduled to appear on CBS’ “Face the Nation” to discuss the war effort. 

Staunch Ukraine supporter Rep. Mike Turner (R-Ohio) is also set to appear on “This Week.” He made an appearance on “Face the Nation,” last Sunday to push Biden towards sending long-range missiles to Ukraine. The U.S. is now expected to send some long-range munitions to Ukraine, NBC reported.

Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) was indicted on federal bribery charges on Friday, the second time he has been charged with corruption since taking office. The indictment brought a chorus of calls from Democrats for Menendez to resign, including from over half of New Jersey’s Democratic delegation in Congress.

That included Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.), who is scheduled to appear on “State of the Union.”

The ever-present 2024 presidential election will also be a major topic of discussion. Presidential candidates former Gov. Chris Christie (R-N.J.) and Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) will appear on “Meet the Press” and “Fox News Sunday,” respectively.

The pair are among the candidates who have qualified for the second GOP debate, which will take place on Wednesday night in California. Former President Trump has decided to skip the debate again, instead opting to speak to auto workers in Detroit. 

Republican National Committee chair Ronna McDaniel, who leads debate organizing, is scheduled for “Fox News Sunday.” Fox Business Channel will host Wednesday’s debate.

Below is the full list of guests scheduled to appear on this week’s Sunday talk shows:

ABC’s “This Week” — Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg; Rep. Mike Turner (R-Ohio).

NBC’s “Meet the Press” — Buttigieg; former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, a Republican presidential candidate; Rep. James Clyburn (D-S.C.).

CBS’ “Face the Nation” — Olena Zelenska, first lady of Ukraine; Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.); Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas).

CNN’s “State of the Union” — Buttigieg; Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.); Reps. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.), Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) and Summer Lee (D-Pa.).

“Fox News Sunday” — South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, a Republican presidential candidate; Ronna McDaniel, chairwoman of the Republican National Committee; Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas).

Fox News Channel’s “Sunday Morning Futures” — Reps. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) and Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.); Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah); Republican presidential candidate Larry Elder; conservative news host Mark Levin.