House passes Speaker Johnson’s continuing resolution in first step to avoid shutdown
House Passes Funding Resolution, Senate Expected to Follow Suit
Despite facing staunch conservative opposition, Speaker Mike Johnson’s (R-LA) two-step continuing resolution to keep the government funded has successfully passed in the House, just days before the shutdown deadline. The bill has now been sent to the Senate, where it is anticipated to receive approval.
The passing of the continuing resolution is notable for its lack of spending cuts or conservative policy riders, which resulted in more Democrats supporting the legislation than Republicans. With a vote of 336-95, including 93 Republicans voting against it, the bill secured the necessary support.
Urgency to Avoid Harmful Shutdown
“This legislation is necessary to avoid a harmful government shutdown,” emphasized Rep. Hal Rogers (R-KY), urging Republicans to back the short-term funding plan.
While House Democrats criticized the approach as flawed, Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) ultimately supported the plan, and Democrats provided the two-thirds votes required to pass the bill under suspension of the rules.
“Once again, the Republican majority needs Democratic votes to govern,” stated Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) ahead of the vote.
Two-Step Approach to Appropriations
The bill extends the Agriculture, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and the Energy and Water appropriations bills until Jan. 19, with the remaining eight bills extended until Feb. 2.
The purpose of this two-step approach is to create a sense of urgency in passing individual appropriations bills within the given time frame, thereby avoiding the need for an omnibus or another continuing resolution. The plan is for Congress to prioritize passing the first four appropriations bills before Jan. 19, and then shift focus to passing the remaining bills before the February deadline.
Notably, the bill does not include aid to Ukraine or Israel, nor does it provide an extension to FISA 702 authorities. However, it does extend the expired Farm Bill provisions through September 2024.
The measure is expected to pass the Senate and be signed into law by President Joe Biden, effectively preventing a government shutdown at midnight on Friday.
Now, the race is on to pass all 12 appropriations bills by the two deadlines. However, some skeptics question whether this can be achieved in time, given the House Republican Conference’s struggles in reaching agreement on appropriations bills throughout the Congress.
What are the potential consequences of a government shutdown, and how does the passage of the funding resolution in the House reflect bipartisan cooperation in preventing it
Enough bipartisan support to move forward in the legislative process.
The funding resolution aims to avoid a government shutdown by extending funding through December 3, providing lawmakers with additional time to negotiate a long-term spending plan. The deadline to prevent a shutdown was rapidly approaching, causing concern among many Americans who depend on government services and programs.
Speaker Johnson’s resolution faced challenges from conservative lawmakers who wanted to use the funding process to advance conservative policies and reduce government spending. However, in an effort to garner broader support and avoid a potential standoff, the resolution was crafted without any conservative policy riders or spending cuts. This strategic decision resulted in a higher number of Democrats supporting the bill than Republicans.
The passage of the funding resolution in the House is a significant step towards ensuring continued government operations and services. It allows lawmakers to buy more time to reach a compromise on crucial budgetary matters and avoid the detrimental impacts of a government shutdown.
Now that the resolution has moved to the Senate, all eyes are on the upper chamber to follow suit and pass the funding measure. While there might be some opposition from conservative lawmakers, the anticipation is that the Senate will also approve the resolution, given the pressing need to avert a shutdown.
A government shutdown would have severe consequences, affecting various sectors such as national security, healthcare, transportation, and education, among others. It would disrupt the lives of millions of Americans and could potentially damage the country’s economy.
The passage of the funding resolution in the House demonstrates bipartisan cooperation, as lawmakers from both sides of the aisle recognized the importance of preventing a government shutdown. It reflects a willingness to prioritize the functioning of the government and the well-being of the American people over partisan differences.
As the funding resolution progresses through the Senate, it is crucial for lawmakers to remain focused on the urgency of the situation and work towards a swift resolution. It is essential to find common ground and compromise on any outstanding issues to ensure the continued operation of the government and the provision of vital services to the American people.
In conclusion, the House’s approval of Speaker Johnson’s funding resolution is a significant achievement in the effort to avoid a government shutdown. While challenges remain in the Senate, the expectation is that the resolution will receive approval there as well. This bipartisan effort demonstrates a commitment to fiscal responsibility and the well-being of the American people. As negotiations continue, it is imperative for lawmakers to prioritize the smooth functioning of the government and to find common ground to prevent any disruptions to critical government services.
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