With Shutdown Looming, Bipartisan House Coalition Passes Another Stopgap

Three days away from a looming government shutdown, a coalition of Democrats and Republicans passed another continuing resolution which funds some government operations until January 19th and others until February 2nd.

The final tally was 336-95, with 209 Democrats and 127 Republicans supporting it. 93 Republicans and 2 Democrats voted in opposition.

The bill will now advance to the Senate, where leaders of both parties have recently expressed support.

If it passes as expected, President Biden must sign it into law before midnight on Friday to avert a shutdown.

This so-called “laddered” continuing resolution continues government funding at current spending levels, rejecting the extraordinary cuts proposed by far-right House Republicans.

The vote by Matt Gaetz and seven other Republicans to trigger the removal of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy was prompted by the passage of a similar continuing resolution back in September.

Johnson’s laddered CR will extend funding for military construction, veterans benefits, transportation, housing, urban development, agriculture, the Food and Drug Administration and energy and water programs through January 19th, 2024.

Funding for all other federal operations, including defense, will expire on February 2nd, 2024.