U.S.

Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the Senate minority leader, has a message for his fellow Republicans.

He says a government shutdown always hurts the GOP politically.

Without a spending plan, the government would shut down September the 30th.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy is having trouble winning over a group of conservative House Republicans.

That group wants steep cuts to many domestic programs, but it's believed the Senate would reject that plan.

Speaking yesterday, Senator McConnell says a government shutdown never accomplishes anything.

He also talked about continuing support for Ukraine in a stand that puts him at odds with some in his own party and even in his own state.

I think all of you know, I'm not a fan of government shutdown.

I've seen a few over the years.

They never have produced a policy change and they've always been a loser for Republicans politically.

On another issue, looking forward to seeing President Zelenskiy on Thursday.

I think it's always good to remind everyone that a good portion of the money allocated to Ukraine is being spent in this country to rebuild our industrial base.

It's also important to remember we've not launched a single American.

And so these people in Ukraine who are fighting for their independence are taking on one of the two big adversaries.

We have, Russia and China.

That is not an argument that impresses Kentucky's other U.S. senator, Republican Rand Paul.

Paul says he won't go along with a bill that prevents a government shutdown if that means giving more money to Ukraine.

They're talking about saying the only way government stays open, the only way we avoid a shutdown is by shoveling more American taxpayer dollars to Ukraine.

They're going to link keeping the government open with more money to Ukraine.

And I'm here to say that I'm not going to agree to it and I will not let them shut down the government simply because they want to send more of your hard earned tax dollars to Ukraine.

I think the American people fund an endless war in Ukraine or the unit party threatens to shut down the government.

This is a clear dereliction of duty and I will not stand for it.

Senator Paul says American taxpayers have already provided more than $113 billion to Ukraine.

Congress has until the end of the month to avoid a government shutdown.