WASHINGTON — On Tuesday, the House of Representatives approved legislation aimed at preventing a partial government shutdown by funding federal agencies until September. This move, which now shifts the focus to the Senate, requires bipartisan cooperation to proceed further.
In a 217-213 vote, the Republicans managed to secure overwhelming internal support, crucial for the bill’s passage, with just one member, Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, opposing it. Conversely, one Democrat, Rep. Jared Golden of Maine, broke ranks to vote in favor.
The Senate now needs to rally at least eight Democratic votes to push the measure to President Donald Trump’s desk. This situation marks a significant legislative challenge of the president’s second term, prompting Vice President JD Vance to visit Capitol Hill in efforts to garner support.
House Speaker Mike Johnson from Louisiana took a bold step, essentially challenging Democrats to oppose the bill, risking a government shutdown slated for Saturday without legislative action on the continuing resolution, known as a CR.
“We accomplished our task today,” Johnson remarked shortly after the vote. His plan has received backing from Trump, who called for unity among Republicans, advising them to avoid dissent and instead “fight for another day when the timing is right.”
The proposed legislation outlines a $13 billion reduction in non-defense spending and a $6 billion increase in defense expenditures. These changes are modest when compared against an overall discretionary spending total nearing $1.7 trillion. Notably, the bill does not encompass the majority of government spending areas like Social Security and Medicare, which are not subject to regular congressional review.
Democrats have voiced concerns over the discretion this legislation grants to the Trump administration in terms of spending allocations. There is particular alarm about significant cuts targeted by the Department of Government Efficiency, headed by billionaire Elon Musk, and the bill is perceived to further such efforts.
Typically, spending bills offer clear funding directives for certain programs, but the current legislation removes many such directives, thus affording the administration more flexibility to adjust priorities. For instance, a Democratic memo suggested the administration might divert funds away from opioid crisis efforts towards mass deportations.
Rep. Rosa DeLauro, the lead Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, expressed: “This is more than a simple stopgap; it’s a relinquishment of government control to Elon Musk and President Trump.”
Conversely, Rep. Tom Cole, the Republican chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, admitted that while the continuing resolution wasn’t his preferred outcome, it was necessary to break the cycle of temporary funding extensions. He placed responsibility for this on Democratic attempts to curb Trump’s spending authority.
Republicans, usually needing cooperation from Democrats for such measures, found themselves in an unusual position of managing this on their own. Rep. Andy Harris, R-Md., who leads the House Freedom Caucus, supported the bill for its spending cuts and avoidance of a large, all-encompassing spending bill. “This is not your grandfather’s continuing resolution,” Harris stated.
Despite Trump’s criticisms, Massie remained a holdout, resisting pressure both from Trump, who labeled him a troublemaker, and potential threats to his political future.
Leading Democrats have staunchly opposed the legislation, though uncertainty remains over their approach in instructing members from competitive districts. Ultimately, the party largely voted in unity, with Golden as the lone exception. “This Republican shutdown bill does nothing to enhance the American dream. It undermines it,” commented House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries before the vote.
Senate Democratic leaders appear to be adopting a wait-and-see strategy, focused on Republican efforts to pass the bill through the House. “We’re going to see what the House does first,” said Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York. Nonetheless, some Democrats like Sen. Cory Booker criticized the measure for its one-sided approach.
As an alternative, Democrats proposed a bill to fund the government through April 11, positioning it as a backup should the Republican bill falter. Both parties have readied themselves to point fingers if negotiations collapse.
Rep. Dan Goldman emphasized the potential for Democratic criticism if a shutdown occurs under Republican control, while Johnson accused Democrats of attempting to force a shutdown.
Finally, the legislation could significantly impact Washington, D.C.’s budget with forced cuts to key services, a concern voiced by Democratic Mayor Muriel Bowser.
