Government Shutdown Nears Possible End as Funding Fight Shifts to the House
The threat of a government shutdown is easing as a funding deal passed by the Senate now moves to the House, but a potentially difficult vote awaits. The Senate passed a package of six appropriations bills on , sending the legislation to the House for consideration. The bills are backed by former President Trump, according to reports.
The House faces a complex situation. While the measure secured a two-week extension of funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) – a key Democratic priority – it now requires House Speaker Mike Johnson to navigate a narrow majority and potential dissent within his own party. With a 218 to 214 Republican majority, Johnson can only afford to lose one vote on a procedural measure to advance the bill. A tie vote would defeat the rule needed to bring the funding package to the floor.
Initially, House Democrats signaled they would not assist Republicans in fast-tracking the legislation through a process known as suspension of the rules, which requires a two-thirds vote. However, a number of Democrats may ultimately support the measure on final passage. Days ago, House Democrats reportedly conveyed to GOP leaders that they wouldn’t provide the votes to help pass the funding package under suspension of the rules, necessitating a more challenging path through the Rules Committee and a partisan vote.
Representative Jeffries stated on , that “Republicans have a responsibility to move the rule,” and added, “it’s hard to imagine a scenario where Democrats are going to provide Republicans” with votes. Despite this stance, support from dozens of House Democrats is possible.
Representative Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut, the top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, announced her intention to support the package. Jeffries acknowledged a “diversity of perspectives” within the Democratic caucus, but noted “strong” support for the five bipartisan funding bills that comprise the larger package, outside of the temporary DHS funding.
The agreement reached in the Senate provides a short timeline for lawmakers to negotiate reforms to the administration’s approach to immigration enforcement. Despite the time constraints, both Republicans and Democrats have expressed optimism about reaching a compromise. The deal represents a shift in the dynamics of the shutdown fight, with the focus now squarely on the House.
Former President Trump has demanded “NO CHANGES” to the House funding bill, according to reports.
Previously, Senate Democrats had “blinked” on the shutdown after 40 days, reportedly.
