Before Shutdown Deadline, House Passes Government Funding Package to Senate

The House of Representatives has voted to approve crucial government spending bills, prompting urgent action in the Senate to pass the legislation before a looming shutdown deadline. Additionally, a revolt within House conservatives against Speaker Mike Johnson’s leadership has further intensified the political landscape.

The Senate faces a time-sensitive situation to prevent a partial shutdown at midnight ET, with ongoing negotiations on Capitol Hill striving to reach a swift agreement on the legislation. The outcome remains uncertain as the deadline approaches.

Failure to pass the legislation by the deadline would result in a temporary funding lapse, triggering a partial shutdown. However, the impact would be minimal if funding is approved over the weekend before the work week commences.

Following the House vote, Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene swiftly moved to remove Speaker Johnson from his position, setting the stage for a contentious debate. The final House vote revealed divisions, with a notable number of Republicans and Democrats voting against the bill.
The legislation covers essential government functions, including Defense, Homeland Security, Health and Human Services, and Education, among others.

Lawmakers unveiled a substantial $1.2 trillion government funding package, containing over 1,000 pages, just hours before the deadline.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer emphasized the urgency of passing the package swiftly to avoid a shutdown, highlighting the need for bipartisan cooperation in both chambers.

After facing recurring shutdown threats, Congress recently approved a comprehensive set of bills in March to fund various government agencies for the fiscal year.

The ongoing funding process has been delayed due to policy disagreements and changes in House leadership, adding complexity to the current situation.

Speaker Johnson, grappling with internal dissent and a precarious majority, faces challenges in navigating the funding negotiations amidst mounting pressure from within his party.

Johnson hailed the legislation for bolstering national defense and supporting military personnel, highlighting conservative victories in the bill.

The bill has sparked criticism from both ends of the political spectrum, with varying concerns raised by progressives and far-right members.

Tensions within the GOP are evident, with Rep. Chip Roy expressing his discontent with the bill and signaling a lack of support from his side of the aisle.

Meanwhile, House progressives are voicing opposition to certain provisions, highlighting divisions within the chamber.

Uncertainty looms over Speaker Johnson’s leadership as McCarthy’s removal raises questions about potential challenges to his position.

The funding release earlier in the month, signed into law by President Biden, included allocations for various government departments and programs.

Additional updates and developments have been incorporated into this article.

Reporting by CNN’s Manu Raju contributed to this article.