The U.S. House of Representatives, controlled by Republicans, passed a stopgap measure on Tuesday to keep federal agencies funded beyond Friday, preventing a potential partial government shutdown over the weekend. The bill passed with a narrow 217-213 vote, with one Republican voting against it and one Democrat voting in favor.
This continuing resolution, which largely maintains current government funding levels through September 30, must now be approved by the Republican-majority Senate and signed by the President before Friday to avoid a shutdown. The President has been urging Republican lawmakers to support the measure, with Vice President JD Vance encouraging party unity in a closed-door meeting earlier in the day.
Some Republican lawmakers have historically opposed stopgap funding measures, but this vote marked a shift for several, as it was the first time they supported such a measure since the party took control of the House in January 2023. Representative Tim Burchett, a Tennessee Republican, explained his support, stating that the bill would reduce federal spending. He noted, “It’s the first time I’ve been here that we’ve actually voted to decrease the size of government,” after consulting with the President.
On the other hand, Democratic Representative Rosa DeLauro criticized the bill, calling it more than just a temporary solution, and accusing Republican leadership of giving unchecked power to certain interests.
The next step lies in the Senate, where Republicans will need at least seven Democrats to join them to prevent funding from running out, potentially disrupting various government functions and leaving federal workers without pay.
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