‘Big win’: Trump touts federal funding bill passage in the House
House Republicans narrowly passed a budget bill backed by former President Donald Trump in a tight vote on Tuesday. The legislation, which aims to keep the government funded and running smoothly, was approved by a 217 to 213 margin in the House of Representatives. The bill will now move to the Senate for further consideration before the looming deadline to avoid a partial government shutdown.
President Trump hailed the House’s passage of the funding bill as a “big win” for America. In a social media post on Truth Social, Trump congratulated Republicans and the nation on the successful vote. The White House deferred additional comments to Trump’s statement.
The funding bill extends current funding levels until September 30, with some adjustments including an additional $8 billion for defense, $6 billion for veterans healthcare, and nearly $1 billion to support ICE deportations. The measure also includes cuts of $13 billion in non-defense spending.
Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky was the sole House Republican to vote against the bill, while Rep. Jared Golden of Maine crossed party lines to support it. Senator Rand Paul, also from Kentucky, has indicated that he plans to vote against the bill in the Senate due to concerns about government spending.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized the importance of passing the continuing resolution, urging all Republicans to support the measure. Leavitt warned that voting against the bill would jeopardize the progress made by the Trump administration.
The House Rules Committee approved the legislation on Monday, setting the stage for the contentious vote in the House. The bill will now face scrutiny in the Senate, where it will need bipartisan support to reach the 60-vote threshold for passage.
Overall, the passage of the budget bill reflects the ongoing political divisions in Washington, with Republicans and Democrats at odds over spending priorities and government funding. As the deadline for a government shutdown approaches, lawmakers will need to work together to ensure the smooth operation of essential services.
