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Washington Braces for Possible Government Shutdown
Americans are once again facing the possibility of a government shutdown, with Congress having until 11:59 p.m. on Friday to pass legislation to keep the government funded. If lawmakers fail to act, most federal employees will either stop working or go without pay, and most government services will come to a halt.
House GOP’s Proposal: A Temporary Solution
On Saturday, House Republicans introduced a spending bill designed to keep the government funded until September 30. Known as a continuing resolution, this bill aims to temporarily avoid a shutdown.
However, it’s uncertain whether the bill has enough support to pass the House, as Democrats have already voiced their opposition.
President Donald Trump expressed support for the bill, urging Republicans in both the House and Senate to back it. He posted on Truth Social, calling for unity among Republicans and asking for just a few more months to stabilize the country’s finances.
The House is expected to vote on the bill as early as Tuesday.
What’s Inside the Funding Bill?
The proposed bill includes several key provisions:
- Increased Defense Spending: $6 billion more for defense, covering pay raises for junior military members and funding for new equipment.
- Veterans’ Health Care: An additional $6 billion for veterans’ services.
- Immigration Enforcement: New funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement to boost deportations.
- Spending Cuts: A $13 billion reduction in non-defense spending across federal departments, with $20 billion cut from the IRS budget.
However, there is no funding for Social Security, Medicare, or Medicaid in the bill.
Republicans Split on the Bill
For the bill to pass in the House, Speaker Mike Johnson can only afford to lose one Republican vote, assuming all members are present and Democrats oppose it. The House currently has 432 members, with Republicans holding a slim 218-214 majority.
Some Republicans, like Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), have expressed firm opposition. Massie announced on X (formerly Twitter) that he would vote against the bill, criticizing the idea of delaying the fight for another day.
On the other hand, some Republicans who have traditionally opposed continuing resolutions have shown support for this bill. Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) praised the bill for offering an opportunity to reduce waste and freeze spending levels.
Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) has also expressed opposition, making it clear that for the bill to proceed to the Senate, at least eight Democrats would need to support it.
Democrats Push Back
Democrats have firmly opposed the bill. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) and other Democratic leaders issued a statement calling the bill “reckless.” They criticized the bill for cutting funding for healthcare, nutritional assistance, and veterans’ benefits, arguing that it would cause harm to Americans.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer also criticized the lack of negotiations between Republicans and Democrats. He reiterated that a bipartisan solution is the only way forward.
As the deadline approaches, the fate of the government funding bill—and whether a shutdown can be avoided—remains uncertain.