Averting a Government Shutdown: House Speaker Mike Johnson Unveils Short-Term Funding Bill
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., has introduced a short-term funding bill designed to prevent a government shutdown at the end of next week. The bill, known as a continuing resolution (CR), would keep the government operational through the end of September. Johnson has announced plans to bring the measure to the House floor for a vote early next week, likely on Tuesday, ahead of the funding deadline late Friday night. While the bill aims to avoid disruption, its passage is uncertain, as it was crafted without Democratic input, making it a critical test for the new Republican majority in Congress.
The CR includes an increase in defense spending but reduces non-defense discretionary spending. Notably, it does not allocate additional funds for emergencies, disaster relief, or community project funding, commonly referred to as earmarks. A House Republican leadership staffer described the bill as straightforward, stating, “There’s no Christmas tree effect here. It’s just what we need to fund the government and to allow that to happen.” However, the lack of bipartisan negotiation has sparked fierce opposition from Democrats, who argue that the bill prioritizes Republican interests over critical programs for the middle class and national security.
Democratic Opposition: A Power Grab and Threat to American Families
Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., the top Democrat on the Appropriations Committee, swiftly condemned the legislation, calling it a “power grab for the White House” that benefits unelected billionaires like Elon Musk and President Donald Trump at the expense of American families. DeLauro criticized the bill for effectively ending negotiations on full-year funding bills that could have supported the middle class and protected national security. She accused Republicans of handing over their legislative power to billionaires, further undermining Congress’s role in shaping the federal budget.
House Democratic leaders echoed DeLauro’s concerns, warning that the bill could lead to significant spending cuts in vital areas such as healthcare, nutritional assistance, and veterans’ benefits. These cuts, they argue, would harm millions of Americans who rely on these programs. The deep divide between the two parties on the CR has heightened the likelihood of a government shutdown, as Democrats appear unified in their opposition to the measure. If House Democrats stand firm against the bill, it remains unclear whether Johnson and the Republicans can muster enough votes to pass it, especially given their narrow 218-214 majority in the House.
A High-Stakes Battle in the House and Senate
The passage of the CR is fraught with challenges for Republicans. With a razor-thin majority, just two Republican defections could derail the bill. Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., a vocal critic of Johnson, has already pledged to vote against the measure, adding to the uncertainty. Rep. August Pfluger, R-Texas, chairman of the conservative Republican Study Committee, acknowledged the difficulty, stating, “It’s obviously a challenge for us.” If Johnson manages to push the stopgap bill through the House, attention will shift to the Senate, where Republicans hold a 53-47 advantage. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., would need to secure at least seven Democratic votes to overcome a filibuster and pass the measure.
However, Senate Democrats have also come out strongly against the bill. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., vice chair of the Appropriations Committee, denounced the CR as a “slush fund continuing resolution” that would grant President Trump and Elon Musk greater control over federal spending, allowing them to “pick winners and losers” at the expense of families across the country. The intense partisan rhetoric underscores the deep-seated disagreements over how to manage federal spending and priorities.
The Risks of a Government Shutdown
While neither party actively wants a government shutdown, their differing approaches to avoiding one have brought the nation closer to that brink. A shutdown would result in the furlough of millions of federal workers nationwide, causing widespread disruption to essential services and further straining an already tense political environment. For Republicans, a shutdown could distract from their efforts to pass a reconciliation package aimed at advancing Trump’s agenda on border security, energy, and tax cuts. On the other hand, Democrats are insisting on safeguards to limit the president’s authority over congressional spending, a demand that Republicans firmly oppose.
The stakes are high for both sides. Democrats have been vocal in their criticism of Trump, Musk, and congressional Republicans, accusing them of slashing federal spending and laying off thousands of federal workers. In a letter to colleagues, Democratic leaders warned that the CR could impose additional spending cuts that are “not acceptable.” Yet, without a compromise, the likelihood of a shutdown looms larger, threatening the stability of the government and the livelihoods of millions of Americans. As the deadline approaches, all eyes remain on Capitol Hill, where the outcome of this high-stakes battle will determine whether the government can continue to function beyond next week.
