On Saturday, House Republicans unveiled a stopgap measure to fund the government through September, setting up a vote on the resolution that would avert an impending government shutdown. The 99-page continuing resolution (CR) is expected to be considered by the House Rules Committee on Monday, with a floor vote expected Tuesday, though it remains unclear whether Republicans have the votes for passage.
The proposed CR would maintain current discretionary spending levels through the end of the fiscal year, though it does include some anomalies. In total, these anomalies increase defense spending by $6 billion, including funds for shipbuilding and military pay raises, and decrease nondefense spending by $13 billion. Also included are a number of extensions for healthcare programs, including: Medicare telehealth flexibilities and the Acute Hospital Care at Home Program, funding for the National Health Service corps and the Teaching Health Centers Graduate Medical Education Program, and the delaying of scheduled cuts to Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospitals.
Notably, the CR does not raise the debt limit, which Congress must adjust in the coming months. It also does not include any earmarks for individual legislators.
While President Trump came out in support of the bill shortly after its unveiling on Saturday, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) still faces an uphill battle as he works towards whipping enough votes for passage. House Democrats have quickly come out in opposition to the CR, voicing their frustrations over having been left out of the negotiations. Many Democrats have also cited concerns over the lack of guardrails on President Trump and his adviser Elon Musk’s attempts to unilaterally slash government spending.
If all members are present and voting, Johnson can afford just one Republican defection. If House Republicans are able to unify and pass the CR, it will face an even more difficult challenge in the Senate, where it will need 60 votes to cut off debate on the bill to get to a vote. With a 53-47 majority, and one member already voicing their opposition (Republican Rand Paul of Kentucky), Republicans will need Democratic votes for passage. So far, not a single Democratic member in either chamber has said they will vote yes.
As a reminder, Congress must pass and the President must sign a CR by midnight on the 14th to prevent a partial government shutdown.
Link to CR text