Special Poll
Just hours before the looming government shutdown deadline, the House passed a bill intended to keep the government running, sending the measure on to the Senate after an intense week of negotiations on Capitol Hill.
The legislation saw strong bipartisan support, passing with a vote of 366-34-1, which surpassed the two-thirds majority needed as it was fast-tracked under the suspension of the rules. The overwhelming majority included all Democrats, except for Representative Jasmine Crockett of Texas who voted present, and 170 Republicans.
Senate Minority Whip John Thune of South Dakota indicated that the Senate might consider the continuing resolution as early as that Friday, with the midnight deadline pressing.
Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana, in remarks following the vote, praised the bill as foundational for what he described as an ‘America First’ agenda, setting the stage for significant policy shifts expected when the Republicans take control of both the House and Senate and Trump returns to office in January. He characterized the legislation as a necessary bridge to that new phase of governance.
The bill, introduced by Speaker Johnson shortly before the vote, aims to maintain government funding at current levels until March 14, extend the farm bill for a year, and allocate billions in disaster relief and farm aid. Notably, it excludes provisions to raise the debt ceiling, sidestepping a last-minute demand from President-elect Trump that had complicated negotiations.
Instead of a debt ceiling increase, Republicans have agreed to address the borrowing limit through a $1.5 trillion increase tied to $2.5 trillion in spending cuts planned for the next Congress.
The passage of the bill marks the end of a whirlwind few days of legislative activity, during which Republicans considered multiple versions of the spending package, contending with both the influence of Trump and Elon Musk and internal disagreements over the direction of the party under Speaker Johnson’s leadership.
The tensions highlight what many expect to be a period of significant turmoil in Washington, with a narrowly held Republican majority in the House and the party gearing up to navigate under Trump’s renewed leadership.
In the interim, there is ongoing speculation about Speaker Johnson’s ability to maintain his leadership position when the House votes on January 3. Discontent has grown among some Republicans, frustrated by Johnson’s handling of the funding crisis.
The final version of the spending bill includes substantial disaster aid, addressing the needs from recent hurricanes and other disasters, with significant allocations for the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Small Business Administration’s disaster loan program, and the Department of Agriculture.
Despite this, some Democrats expressed dissatisfaction with the pared-down version of the agreement, pointing out missing elements like healthcare provisions that had bipartisan support earlier.
As the Senate takes up the bill, the focus remains on ensuring that government functions continue uninterrupted, particularly over the holidays, emphasizing the urgent need for legislative compromise and effective leadership.