Lawmakers introduced a major new spending package Monday. This stopgap funding bill aims to prevent a government shutdown. Congress must act before a January thirtieth deadline. The legislation combines three crucial annual appropriations bills. Its total value reaches one hundred seventy-four billion dollars. House leaders plan a full chamber vote this week.
Therefore, this effort follows a historic forty-three day shutdown. That damaging closure finally ended last November. The new package represents a critical bipartisan agreement. It funds commerce, justice, science, energy, and interior programs. Senior appropriators from both parties negotiated the terms. They expressed support for the compromise legislation immediately.
Moreover, house Appropriations Chairman Tom Cole praised the package. He said it invests in American community safety priorities. It also supports affordable and reliable energy development. Representative Rosa DeLauro also approved the bill. She called it a rejection of draconian budget cuts. The bill notably excludes controversial policy riders.
However, house Speaker Mike Johnson backed the proposal. He argued it avoids a bloated omnibus spending bill. The stopgap funding bill spends less than a continuing resolution. This reasoning targets fiscal conservative concerns directly. Some Republican hawks remain skeptical however. The House Rules Committee reviews the bill Tuesday.
Furthermore, Representative Andy Harris signaled potential conservative support. He noted the bill keeps spending below last year’s level. This is a first step toward controlling federal debt. The legislation must pass a procedural rule vote first. This vote requires nearly unified Republican support. A final House vote will likely occur Thursday.
Therefore, the commerce and justice section gets seventy-eight billion. This money funds NASA, the FBI, and prisons. The energy portion allocates fifty-eight billion dollars. It notably strengthens nuclear security and modernization. The interior section provides over thirty-eight billion. This funds the EPA and Forest Service.
The package includes three billion for earmarks. These are specific community projects requested by lawmakers. Senate Democrats appear willing to cooperate now. Their goal is completing all funding bills on time. This stopgap funding bill is a key test. Its passage would avert another costly shutdown. The nation watches the House vote closely.
