Trump-backed bill to avert government shutdown heads for House-wide vote

A proposal to prevent a partial government shutdown, supported by President Donald Trump, is set to undergo a full House vote on Tuesday. The House Rules Committee, which serves as the final checkpoint before legislation reaches the House of Representatives floor, approved the bill along party lines on Monday night. The upcoming vote on Tuesday will first involve a decision to allow lawmakers to discuss the bill, followed by a vote on the legislation itself later in the day.

This vote marks a crucial moment for both Trump and Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., as they work to unite a divided House GOP conference on the issue of government funding. The bill in question is a continuing resolution (CR), which proposes an extension of fiscal 2024 funding levels to maintain government operations through the beginning of fiscal 2026 on October 1.

While Republicans are expected to predominantly support the bill in the House, some GOP members who typically oppose continuing funding at levels set during the Biden administration may dissent. On the other side, Democrats have historically been against government shutdowns, but this time, their opposition to Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has led some left-leaning lawmakers to signal their disapproval.

Despite these challenges, optimism among Johnson’s allies stems from the fact that two prominent members of the House Freedom Caucus are staunch supporters of the measure. Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, emphasized that conservatives view freezing spending through the CR as a victory, especially since Trump may still seek to reduce expenditures beyond what the bill allocates.

Freedom Caucus Chair Andy Harris, R-Md., cited Republicans’ recent successful vote on a federal budget bill supported by Trump as evidence of their ability to pass the CR with only GOP votes. However, with slim margins in the House, Johnson can ill afford any dissenting voices if he hopes to secure passage along party lines.

One notable dissenting voice is Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., who has already declared his opposition to the CR. Massie criticized the bill, stating that he will vote against it and questioning the notion that delaying action on government spending issues is a viable strategy.

The bill, which was unveiled over the weekend, includes an additional $8 billion for defense spending to address national security concerns, while non-defense spending is set to decrease by approximately $13 billion. Additional funds are also allocated to support Immigrations and Customs Enforcement operations.

Overall, the bill allows Republican leaders to claim a victory by preventing significant government spending increases throughout fiscal 2025. It achieves savings by cutting non-defense discretionary spending, eliminating certain side deals from previous negotiations, and barring earmarks for pet projects in lawmakers’ districts.

In conclusion, the upcoming House vote on the CR represents a critical juncture in the ongoing debate over government funding. The outcome of this vote will not only determine the immediate future of government operations but also serve as a litmus test for party unity and fiscal responsibility in the House of Representatives.