House Republicans push through a short-term spending bill to avert a government shutdown, but face internal opposition over concerns of a potential omnibus package.
At a Glance
- House passes three-month continuing resolution to fund government until December 20
- Speaker Mike Johnson bypasses Rules Committee due to conservative opposition
- Bill requires two-thirds majority, necessitating Democratic support
- Measure includes $230 million for Secret Service but drops voting requirements
House Passes Stopgap Measure Amid GOP Dissent
In a move to prevent an imminent government shutdown, the House of Representatives has passed a three-month continuing resolution (CR) to maintain government funding until December 20. The bill, introduced by Speaker Mike Johnson, came after the failure of a previous six-month CR proposal that included the controversial SAVE Act. This short-term solution, while garnering bipartisan support, has encountered resistance from GOP factions concerned about paving the way for a comprehensive year-end omnibus bill.
The House fast-tracked the short-term spending bill, bypassing the Rules Committee due to opposition from conservative members. This strategic move required the bill to be brought up for a floor vote under suspension of the rules, necessitating a two-thirds majority for passage. Consequently, Speaker Johnson found himself in the position of needing Democratic support to push the legislation through.
Conservative Backlash and Political Calculations
House conservatives have expressed a clear preference for passing individual appropriations bills rather than resorting to a short-term measure. Their primary concern is that this CR could set the stage for an “omnibus” spending bill at the year’s end, a scenario they vehemently oppose. The decision to pursue this route has sparked internal debates within the Republican party about fiscal responsibility and legislative strategy.
“While this is not the solution any of us prefer, it is the most prudent path forward under the present circumstances. As history has taught and current polling affirms, shutting the government down less than 40 days from a fateful election would be an act of political malpractice,” Johnson said, citing a McLaughlin & Associates survey that found two-thirds of likely voters oppose a government shutdown.
Key Provisions and Political Implications
The CR includes $231 million in additional funding for the Secret Service, a provision added following scrutiny after an apparent second assassination attempt against former President Trump. Notably absent from this measure is the voting requirement from the previous six-month funding bill, a concession that has drawn criticism from some conservative quarters.
Speaker Johnson has described the CR as a “very narrow, bare-bones” measure designed to prevent the Senate from adding new spending and unrelated provisions. This approach reflects the delicate balance Johnson must strike between appeasing his conservative base and securing the necessary votes to keep the government operational.
