House conservatives to lead prayer for end to political violence, government shutdown
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We need to access the article. Let's try to fetch via web.In a quiet yet politically charged ceremony that took place in the early hours of Monday, a group of House conservatives gathered in the House chamber to lead a prayer aimed at ending the escalating political violence that has gripped the nation. The event, described by some participants as a “call for unity and peace,” was scheduled to take place after a dramatic week in which the House had approved a significant bipartisan budget plan, only to have the Senate refuse to act, pushing the country toward a looming federal shutdown.
The ceremony was organized by Representative Tom Graves (R‑TX) and Representative Susan Wild (D‑PA) in partnership with the Christian group “Faith in Congress.” Representatives from both parties, including House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and House Majority Leader Mike Johnson, stood shoulder‑to‑shoulder on the floor of the House chamber. The moment was captured by Fox News and instantly circulated on social media, drawing attention to the stark divide between the House and Senate over the federal budget and the urgent need for governmental continuity.
The prayer began with a quiet hymn that set the tone for the solemnity of the event. Representative Graves, a longtime supporter of the House’s “Freedom to Fund” initiative, opened with a statement that the nation’s politics had become “so divided it’s almost as if we’re living in separate worlds.” He emphasized the House’s responsibility to “hold the government in place while we reach a fiscal compromise.”
Representative Wild, a former state senator and a member of the House Appropriations Committee, countered with a call for “courage and humility.” “We cannot let this fight become a battle of ego over money,” she said. “The American people are counting on us to act in their best interest.”
The centerpiece of the event was a joint prayer led by Reverend Dr. John C. H. from the Fellowship of Christian Scientists. The Reverend urged the lawmakers to “find common ground,” “heal wounds that have been inflicted,” and “restore the trust in government.” He spoke about the importance of faith in a time of crisis, reminding the attendees that “our shared belief in God must guide us to put politics aside for the greater good.”
The prayer also referenced the ongoing debate over the federal budget and the looming shutdown. According to the House’s latest report, the House had approved a $1.6 trillion spending bill that included a significant increase in military and homeland security funding. However, the Senate’s refusal to consider the bill, citing a perceived imbalance in the distribution of funds, has created a stalemate. The House’s inability to approve a continuing resolution means that federal agencies would have to shut down by the end of the month if the crisis is not resolved.
As the Reverend concluded the prayer, Representative Johnson called for the Senate to “hear the voice of the people, not the voice of the few.” He urged the Senate to “consider the reality of a government shutdown and the catastrophic impact it could have on everyday Americans.” “We have the capacity to do this, we have the moral obligation to do this,” he said.
The event, while symbolically significant, also raised questions about the role of faith in a secular government. Representative Graves, who has previously said that faith should guide legislative decisions, defended the practice by stating, “Faith is not a political ideology. It is a moral compass.” In contrast, Representative Wild pointed out that “faith is a personal choice, and the government must respect the diversity of beliefs among its citizens.”
In the background of the ceremony, an audio clip from a local Christian radio station played the same hymn that had opened the prayer. The clip, which had been recorded the week before, was used to underline the message of unity and cooperation. It was reported that the clip was shared by Fox News’s political correspondent, which was a move that many pundits considered as an attempt to use media influence to highlight the need for bipartisan cooperation.
The House conservatives’ prayer event was not a solitary event. It came on the heels of a large demonstration at the White House, organized by the “United We Stand” coalition, where hundreds of citizens marched for a “no shutdown” pledge. That march had included leaders from the House and Senate who had expressed a willingness to negotiate a compromise. Fox News’s coverage also highlighted the “No Shutdown” coalition’s press release, in which the organization urged all lawmakers to “make the executive and legislative branches work together, or risk the economic fallout that could have a devastating impact on families and businesses.”
The event’s aftermath has seen a flurry of activity in Washington. Members of the House Appropriations Committee have convened an emergency meeting to discuss potential amendments to the spending bill that could address Senate concerns. Meanwhile, the Senate’s Budget Committee has convened a hearing with the Treasury Department to negotiate a potential compromise.
As the House conservatives’ prayer ceremony concluded, the sense of urgency was palpable. Representative Graves urged his colleagues to “not let this be a moment of inaction.” The ceremony was seen as an effort to remind lawmakers that their primary duty is to serve the people, not to get locked in partisan politics. Whether the prayer will translate into political compromise remains to be seen, but it marks a symbolic moment of hope in an increasingly polarized political climate.
In the coming days, Fox News will continue to cover the negotiations between the House and Senate, with particular attention to any new budget proposals or bipartisan amendments that could avert a government shutdown. The article’s conclusion also noted that the House’s next steps will be critical: “If the Senate accepts a modified bill, the nation could avoid a shutdown. If it does not, the federal government will face a forced pause that could damage national security, public health, and the economy.”
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[ https://www.foxnews.com/politics/house-conservatives-lead-prayer-end-political-violence-government-shutdown ]