House Republicans successfully pushed through a federal funding measure on Tuesday with minimal support from the opposing party. The move represents a rare instance where most House Democrats opposed a bill intended to prevent a government shutdown.
The measure passed narrowly with a 217 to 213 vote. Only one Republican, Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, voted against it, while one Democrat, Rep. Jared Golden of Maine, joined the majority of Republicans in supporting the legislation. The passage of the bill prompted enthusiastic reactions from Republican members on the House floor. With this vote, the House is now set to adjourn until March 24. The bill, which extends funding for the 2024 fiscal year, now moves to the Senate. It must be approved and signed before Friday, March 14, to avoid a partial government shutdown.
In a notable development, several Republicans who had previously refused to support such funding extensions backed this one. Rep. Eric Burlison of Missouri attributed his shift to the influence of former President Donald Trump, emphasizing that Trump’s endorsement was a key factor in his decision. Similarly, Rep. Greg Steube of Florida, who had historically opposed similar measures, acknowledged that his vote aimed to prevent Democrats from shifting blame for a shutdown onto the president and the party.
Despite passing the House, the bill may face challenges in the Senate. Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky has already voiced his opposition, meaning Republican senators may need support from several Democrats to reach the necessary 60-vote threshold.
The bill allocates an additional $8 billion for defense spending to address national security concerns while reducing non-defense expenditures by roughly $13 billion. It also provides $6 billion to enhance healthcare services for veterans.
The funding measure includes specific adjustments requested by the White House, referred to as “anomalies.” These additions include increased funding for the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) benefits program and nearly $1 billion to support Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deportation efforts.
Rank-and-file Republicans welcomed the bill’s passage. Rep. Randy Feenstra of Iowa described his vote as a move to ensure military personnel are paid, border patrol agents are funded, and the extension of tax policies from the previous administration continues alongside other related priorities.
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