Johnson-Led House Passes Bill To Avert Government Shutdown With Dem Support
The House Passes Short-Term Spending Bill to Avert Government Shutdown
The GOP-led House passed a short-term spending bill on Tuesday to avert a government shutdown before the deadline at the end of the week.
Democrats joined with Republicans to approve the measure to suspend the rules and send the legislation to the Senate — a move that avoided a Rules Committee showdown, but required a two-thirds majority to succeed. The final tally was 336-95, with 209 Democrats and 127 Republicans voting for it.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), who has held the role less than a month, backed the two-step continuing resolution (CR) that funds certain federal agencies through the middle of January while others would get money through early February.
The bill did not include spending cuts, which made it more palatable to Democrats, and did not attach supplemental funds for pressing national security matters that GOP leadership aims to tackle separately. If approved by the Senate and then signed by President Joe Biden, the measure will give lawmakers more time to hash out full-year spending bills.
“This two-step continuing resolution is a necessary bill to place House Republicans in the best position to fight for conservative victories. The bill will stop the absurd holiday-season omnibus tradition of massive, loaded up spending bills introduced right before the Christmas recess,” Johnson said in a post to X on Tuesday.
“Separating out the CR from the supplemental funding debates places our conference in the best position to fight for fiscal responsibility, oversight over Ukraine aid, and meaningful policy changes at our Southern border,” he added.
Conservative Republicans, including members of the Freedom Caucus, opposed the measure because it did not rein in spending as the U.S. national debt approaches $34 trillion.
“Today, I voted against a continuing resolution (CR) that continues inflationary deficit spending, fails to secure a single policy victory for the American people, won the praise of the leader of the House Progressive Caucus, was jammed through over conservative objections via suspension of the rules, and impedes Republicans’ future fights on critical issues like border security,” said Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX).
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) have indicated that they support the House GOP plan — a sign that it will pass the upper chamber — and while the White House has been critical of the proposal, Biden has not ruled out signing it.
Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) got voted out as speaker last month after he pushed through a 45-day continuing resolution, which similarly passed with bipartisan support, but did not take the “laddered” approach. That stop-gap measure expires at the end of the day Friday.
How have previous government shutdowns affected federal employees and the economy, and what steps were taken to avoid a shutdown this time?
Rs have been pushing for. However, it also did not include the provisions sought by some Republicans to restrict funding for certain programs, such as abortion services.
The passage of this short-term spending bill comes as a relief to many, as the threat of a government shutdown loomed just days away. With the current fiscal year ending on December 14th, Congress faced a tight deadline to pass a funding measure in order to keep the government running.
In previous years, government shutdowns have caused significant disruptions and economic losses. They have also put the livelihoods of federal employees at risk, with many being furloughed or forced to work without pay. Recognizing the potential consequences, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle worked together to find a bipartisan solution.
The short-term spending bill, also known as a continuing resolution (CR), provides a temporary solution to keep the government funded until a more comprehensive spending bill can be passed. While some may argue that this is merely kicking the can down the road, others see it as a necessary stopgap measure to prevent a government shutdown during key holiday periods.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, who has only been in his role for a short time, played a crucial role in rallying support for the CR. His leadership and ability to bridge the divide between Democrats and Republicans should be commended. By backing the two-step CR, Speaker Johnson ensured that crucial federal agencies will continue to receive funding, providing stability during this uncertain time.
The fact that Democrats and Republicans were able to find common ground on this issue is a promising sign of bipartisan cooperation. In a time of deep political divisions, it is important to celebrate these moments when lawmakers come together for the greater good of the country.
However, it is worth noting that this short-term spending bill is just one piece of the puzzle. A more comprehensive spending bill will need to be passed in the coming months to fund the government for the remainder of the fiscal year. This will require both parties to work together, compromise, and make tough decisions to address the numerous challenges facing the nation.
As Congress moves forward, it is our hope that they are able to build on this momentum and tackle the important issues facing our country. By working together and finding common ground, lawmakers can demonstrate that they are capable of governing effectively and putting the needs of the American people first.
In conclusion, the passage of the short-term spending bill by the House of Representatives is a positive development that averts a government shutdown. It is an example of bipartisan cooperation and a step towards providing stability and continuity in government operations. As we move forward, it is important for lawmakers to continue working together to find long-term solutions to the nation’s challenges.
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