Can GOP prevent a government shutdown?

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If you are planning to go to Monument Valley to get a close look at the annular Ring of Fire eclipse, don’t.

The Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park is advising all tour operators, local businesses, visitors and residents that the 17-mile scenic Indian Route 42 will be closed for a minimum of five hours during the full duration of the annular eclipse from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 14.

There will be a few staff who have converted to Christianity who will work during that time to enforce the park closure.

Tour operators who have already booked that day will be allowed through, but there will be no parking during the closure and the visitors center will be closed. Schools on the reservation will also be closed.

The park closure comes in accordance with tribal and cultural protocols.

Davis Filfred, a Navajo and board chairman of Utah Dine Bikeyah, said an eclipse is a time of renewal and reflection, and not a spectacle for tribal members.

“There is no eating or drinking. You are also not supposed to be in bed with your partner. The Navajo take the time off. Back in the days there was chanting and some still do that. You are not supposed to look at an eclipse and everything kind of comes to a halt.”

Can Republicans overcome infighting to prevent a government shutdown?

Republican leaders of the pragmatic House Main Street Caucus — which includes Utah Rep. John Curtis — and the hardline House Freedom Caucus negotiated a deal on Sunday in an attempt to avoid a government shutdown.

The deal includes a small decrease in federal spending paired with new border security policies in return for 30 days of continued government funding beyond the Sept. 30 expiration.

Such a stopgap funding measure is considered a necessary step to give House Republicans time to work through the 11 remaining annual spending bills. But in its current state, the deal appears to lack the support needed to pass along partisan lines — or with help from across the aisle — in a narrowly divided and highly polarized Congress.

“I am optimistic that we will eventually get something done. I’m pessimistic that it will be smooth. And it feels like there will be a lot of pain before we get to the answer,” Curtis said in an interview with the Deseret News.

The “continuing resolution” would extend funding for Congress’ 12 appropriations bills until Oct. 31 at slightly less than FY 2023 levels, including an 8% cut in discretionary spending across all government agencies — excluding disaster, defense and veterans funding.

However, a number of Freedom Caucus members have come out in opposition to the continuing resolution, saying it does not go far enough to cut spending and fight back against the Biden administration.

Read what Curtis had to say about Freedom Caucus members who he says are "willing to let the institution crumble in their efforts to do 'winner take all.'"

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