Republicans Push Stopgap Bill as Shutdown Clock Ticks

House Republicans have advanced a stopgap funding bill to avert a government shutdown as the September 30 fiscal year deadline looms, with the legislation expected to be put to a vote by Friday. The bill, a continuing resolution (CR), would extend current funding levels for federal agencies until Nov. 21, offering an additional seven weeks for Congress to finalize full-year spending negotiations. House Speaker Mike Johnson emphasized the bill’s role in maintaining government operations while allowing time for bipartisan discussions on appropriations, stating, "We need responsible options to keep the government open while all this work continues."

The proposed CR includes $58 million in additional security funding for the federal judiciary and executive branch, as well as $30 million in resources for congressional member security. These provisions come amid heightened concerns over personal threats to public officials, particularly after the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The bill also addresses a $1 billion budget shortfall for the District of Columbia by including necessary funding fixes. Despite these measures, House GOP leaders face challenges in securing enough votes to pass the bill, as several party members, including Reps. Tom Massie and Warren Davidson, have expressed opposition.

Democrats, meanwhile, have criticized the Republican proposal, arguing it fails to address critical health care issues and lacks bipartisan input. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries issued a joint statement asserting that the GOP bill "fails to meet the needs of the American people" and "does nothing to stop the looming healthcare crisis." Democrats have demanded that any funding extension also address the expiring health care subsidies under the Affordable Care Act, which are set to expire on Dec. 31. The party’s leadership has also criticized the Republican plan for not reversing recent cuts to Medicaid and other health programs. Schumer emphasized the need for negotiations, stating, "If Donald Trump says no negotiations at all, then it's Donald Trump's shutdown."

President Donald Trump, using his social media platform, has urged Republicans to support a "clean" CR and accused Democrats of pushing for a government shutdown. Trump’s influence has placed pressure on House Republicans, who must balance base expectations with the political reality of needing bipartisan support in the Senate. Senate Majority Leader John Thune has called for bipartisan talks, noting that the Senate would require 60 votes to advance any funding measure. Thune acknowledged the need for Democratic support, saying, "I would hope there would be Democrat Senators who would give us the requisite number of votes to get to 60 in order to keep the government open."

The House Appropriations Committee released the bill text as part of its effort to demonstrate progress in restoring the regular appropriations process. Chairman Tom Cole stated that the bill reflects a nonpartisan approach to keeping the government funded and "allows us to stay focused on restoring regular order." The committee emphasized that the bill preserves stability for families and communities while advancing conference negotiations on key spending bills. However, the Democratic opposition remains firm, with leaders such as Rep. Rosa DeLauro and Sen. Patty Murray calling on Republicans to engage in negotiations to avoid a shutdown.

The debate over continuing resolutions remains a recurring issue in Congress, with lawmakers often relying on temporary measures to fund the government while struggling to complete the annual appropriations process. While CRs prevent shutdowns, they also limit agencies’ ability to adjust to changing priorities and can create operational challenges. For example, the Department of Education may delay grant awards for historically black institutions, and the Department of Agriculture could face delays in rental assistance for rural tenants during a CR. Democrats argue that a year-long CR would further constrain federal operations, limiting the ability to address emerging needs and priorities.

With both parties holding firm in their positions, the likelihood of a government shutdown remains high unless a bipartisan agreement is reached. House Republicans appear determined to push the bill forward with party votes, while Democrats are prepared to oppose it unless their conditions are met. The outcome of these negotiations will determine whether the government remains fully funded or faces disruptions at the end of the fiscal year.