House Approves Government Funding Bill, Sends to Senate to Avoid Shutdown

The House has successfully passed a bill that will keep the federal government funded until December 20, effectively preventing a government shutdown at the end of this month.

This time, it was again Democratic support that helped propel the bill forward, with all Democrats voting in favor, while 82 Republicans stood against it.

Last week, Speaker Mike Johnson attempted to push a different funding measure that included the SAVE Act, which aimed to require proof of citizenship for voting. However, he was forced to withdraw this proposal when it became clear he lacked sufficient support among his Republican colleagues and faced stark opposition from Democrats.

Prior to the vote on the current bill, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries emphasized that House Democrats have consistently assisted Republicans in avoiding shutdowns during this Congress. He posed a rhetorical challenge to Republican leadership, asking, “Can anyone name a single thing that extreme MAGA Republicans in the House have been able to do on their own to make life better for the American people? A single thing? Just one.” He continued with a biting critique that Republicans had achieved “Zip, zero,” highlighting what he considered a lack of productive legislation.

Amidst this political landscape, former President Donald Trump urged congressional Republicans to allow the government to shut down if the SAVE Act was not included. In response to inquiries about Trump’s stance on the new funding solution, Johnson insisted he was not acting against the former president’s wishes. He stated, “I’ve spoken with him at great length, and he is very frustrated about the situation,” acknowledging that election security is also a primary concern for him and House Republicans.

Johnson noted that Trump “understands the current dilemma” facing House Republicans, asserting that there is no division between them on this issue.

Meanwhile, both the White House and congressional Democrats expressed their disapproval of Johnson’s effort to link voter eligibility legislation to government funding. They pointed out that it is already illegal for non-citizens to vote in federal elections.

However, the streamlined funding bill was met with praise from Democratic leaders and the Biden administration. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced that the Senate would quickly move to pass the bill once it arrives from the House. He expressed optimism that the bill could reach President Biden by the end of the day if everything proceeded smoothly.

Schumer declared, “Americans can breathe easy that because both sides have chosen bipartisanship, Congress is getting the job done,” emphasizing the importance of keeping the government operational and ensuring vital services remain uninterrupted.

In addition to extending government funding through December 20, the new legislation also allocates resources to replenish the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and provides $231 million for the U.S. Secret Service. This funding comes in the wake of a second apparent assassination attempt against former President Trump, underscoring ongoing security concerns.

The White House Office of Management and Budget issued a statement urging for a “swift passage of this bill in both chambers of Congress to avoid a costly, unnecessary Government shutdown.” This call to action reflects the administration’s desire to prevent disruptions in government services as the year-end approaches.

While political tensions remain high within Congress, the passage of this bill represents a significant move towards bipartisan cooperation to ensure government stability during a critical period.

Source: ABC News