House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, has introduced a short-term funding bill to prevent a government shutdown at the end of next week and keep the government running until the end of September. The bill will be voted on early next week and must pass both chambers of Congress, which will be a test for the new Republican majority. President Trump has indicated his support for the bill and promised to sign it if it reaches his desk.
The bill, known as a continuing resolution, includes an increase in defense spending and cuts non-defense discretionary spending. It does not provide additional emergency funding, disaster designations, or earmarks. Democrats have criticized the bill, saying it gives too much power to the White House and allows billionaires like Elon Musk and Trump to control federal spending.
House Democrats have opposed the bill, warning that it could lead to cuts in important areas like health care, nutrition assistance, and veterans benefits. If all House Democrats vote against the bill, it may be difficult for Republicans to pass it on a party-line vote.
In the Senate, Republicans will need to secure seven Democratic votes to overcome a filibuster and pass the bill. Democrats in the Senate have also criticized the bill, calling it a “slush fund” that gives Trump and Musk too much power over federal spending.
Both parties are working to avoid a government shutdown, but they continue to disagree on how to do so. Republicans are concerned that a shutdown could delay their priorities, while Democrats are pushing for more oversight on spending decisions made by the White House.
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