The House of Representatives is gearing up for a crucial vote on Tuesday on a stopgap measure that would keep the government funded through September. Speaker Mike Johnson is working tirelessly to rally GOP support for the measure as the deadline for a possible government shutdown looms just days away.
The legislation, unveiled by House Republican leadership on Saturday, includes provisions to increase defense spending and allocate additional funding for veterans’ health care. However, it also entails a decrease in non-defense spending below 2024 levels and includes more funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The House Rules Committee advanced the measure late Monday, paving the way for a floor vote on Tuesday afternoon.
With a deadline to fund the government by the end of the day Friday, any bill passed by the House will require Democratic support in the GOP-controlled Senate. In the Senate, 60 votes are needed for passage, making bipartisan cooperation essential for the bill to become law.
Despite facing a razor-thin majority, House Republicans are proceeding with their efforts to pass the bill without Democratic backing. House Democratic leadership has expressed strong opposition to the continuing resolution, with Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries condemning the bill for its proposed cuts to healthcare, nutritional assistance for children and families, and veterans’ benefits.
During a news conference with House Democratic leadership on Monday, Jeffries stated, “The Republican bill dramatically cuts healthcare, nutritional assistance for children and families, and veterans’ benefits. It is not something we could ever support.”
Rep. Pete Aguilar of California, the Democratic conference chair, echoed these sentiments, expressing a desire to support a bipartisan piece of legislation but criticizing House Republicans for their failure to collaborate with Democrats. Aguilar emphasized that Democrats are willing to work across the aisle but have been met with resistance from their Republican counterparts.
In recent years, Democrats have played a crucial role in preventing government shutdowns due to narrow Republican majorities in the House. Traditionally, securing government funding has been a bipartisan effort, with both parties working together to reach a consensus. However, many Democrats have reservations about the GOP-led six-month stopgap measure, fearing that it would grant the Trump administration and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency excessive authority to slash costs.
Rather than engaging in negotiations with Democrats, House Republicans have chosen to rely on GOP votes for passage, a risky strategy given their slim majority. One Republican, Rep. Thomas Massie, has emerged as a vocal opponent of the continuing resolution, even in the face of a primary threat from President Trump. Trump took to Truth Social on Monday to issue a warning to Massie, pledging to “lead the charge against him.”
Given Massie’s steadfast opposition, House Republicans cannot afford to lose any additional votes if all members are present for the vote. The outcome of the vote will have significant implications for the government’s funding and operations, underscoring the importance of bipartisan cooperation in addressing critical issues facing the nation.
