In a bold move, House Republicans have unveiled a spending bill that would keep federal agencies funded through September 30th. This announcement comes amidst a looming deadline and a highly polarized political climate, setting the stage for a major confrontation with Democrats over government spending.
The 99-page bill, set to be voted on Tuesday, provides a slight increase in defense spending while cutting non-defense programs below 2024 budget levels. This approach is likely to be met with resistance from Democrats, who have long advocated for equal increases in both defense and non-defense spending.
With the deadline for government funding fast approaching, Speaker Mike Johnson is taking a go-it-alone approach, daring Democrats to vote against the bill and risk a government shutdown. This strategy is backed by President Donald Trump, who has shown an ability to unite Republicans in the past.
In the past, Republicans have had to work with Democrats to pass bipartisan spending bills to keep the government running smoothly. However, this time, Republicans are confident that they can push the bill through the House without Democratic support.
The bill, as outlined by House Republican leadership, allows for a total of $892.5 billion in defense spending and $708 billion in non-defense spending. While defense spending is slightly higher than the previous year, non-defense spending is set to be about $13 billion lower.
One notable exclusion from the bill is funding for community projects, also known as earmarks. This decision has been met with criticism from both Democrats and Republicans who have relied on these projects to secure funding for their districts.
It is important to note that this bill does not cover the majority of government spending, including programs such as Social Security and Medicare, which are on auto-pilot and not regularly reviewed by Congress.
The top Democrats on the House and Senate Appropriations Committees, Representative Rosa DeLauro and Senator Patty Murray, have already expressed their disapproval of the bill. DeLauro called it a “full-year continuing resolution” and Murray stated that it would give President Trump and Elon Musk more power over federal spending, which could have negative consequences for families across the country.
However, House Republicans are determined to push ahead with the bill, with the support of President Trump. In a tweet, Trump urged Republicans to remain united and fight for another day when the timing is right. He also asked for a few months to continue putting the country’s “financial house” in order.
The decision to move forward with the bill without consulting Democrats has raised concerns about the possibility of a government shutdown. Democratic leaders have stressed that it is the responsibility of Republicans, as the majority party, to fund the government. However, they have also been cautious in revealing how they would vote on the bill.
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York stated that they are waiting to see what the Republican plan is, but have always believed in a bipartisan solution. Meanwhile, House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York has warned that the “partisan continuing resolution” could lead to cuts in funding for crucial programs such as veterans benefits and nutritional assistance for low-income families.
In an effort to secure votes for the bill, President Trump has been meeting with House Republicans. With a slim majority of 218-214 in the House, Republicans can only afford one defection if Democrats unite in opposition. The math is even more challenging in the Senate, where at least seven Democrats would have to vote in favor of the bill to overcome a filibuster, assuming all 53 Republicans vote for it.
As the deadline for government funding rapidly approaches, it is crucial for both parties to come together and find a bipartisan solution that puts the needs of the American people first. While the bill proposed by House Republicans may not be perfect, it is a step towards keeping the government open and functioning. It is time for our leaders to put aside their differences and work towards a solution that benefits all Americans.
