Timing up in the air for Congress to vote on spending bill as government shutdown looms

GOP lawmakers are on the verge of voting on another continuing resolution (CR) proposal to prevent a partial government shutdown. The timing of the vote, however, remains uncertain, as representatives give conflicting statements on when it will take place.

Representative Anna Paulina Luna, a Republican from Florida, expressed optimism about reaching a deal and suggested that a vote could happen on Friday morning. Luna reassured reporters that she does not expect a government shutdown to occur, pointing to a plan similar to one proposed by former President Trump.

Despite Luna’s confidence, Representative Dusty Johnson, a Republican from South Dakota, cast doubt on the timing of the vote, stating that he was unsure if a vote would happen as early as Friday morning. He acknowledged that some lawmakers were eager to bring a proposal to the floor.

On the Democratic side, Representative Lloyd Doggett from Texas indicated that there was no update on the timing of a potential vote following a caucus meeting. He mentioned that Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries was in discussions with Speaker Mike Johnson to try to reach a deal before the shutdown deadline.

Sources familiar with the negotiations revealed that House Republicans had tentatively agreed on a plan to avert a shutdown. The agreement includes a short-term extension of federal funding levels for the current year, along with funding for disaster aid and agricultural support for farmers. These provisions would be divided into three separate bills.

The initial bipartisan deal proposed by the speaker, which aimed to extend the government funding deadline until March 14, fell apart after facing criticism from prominent figures like Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy. A new proposal endorsed by Trump was negotiated hastily but failed to pass the House on Thursday night.

The bill required a two-thirds majority to pass but did not even garner a simple majority. Two Democrats sided with most Republicans in supporting the bill, while 38 GOP lawmakers voted against it.

As the national debt surpasses $36 trillion and the deficit climbs above $1.8 trillion, Capitol Hill is facing a high-stakes showdown to avoid a government shutdown. The outcome of the pending vote will determine whether a resolution is reached before the looming deadline.

In conclusion, the negotiations and discussions among lawmakers reflect the urgency to find a solution and avert a government shutdown. The uncertainty surrounding the timing of the vote underscores the challenges in reaching a consensus on crucial funding issues. Stay tuned for updates as Capitol Hill navigates this critical juncture.