House Republicans are advancing legislation to fund the federal government through December 4, moving the action months earlier than typical congressional practice in an effort to prevent a government shutdown before the midterm elections in the fall.
The House is scheduled to vote on the measure on Tuesday. House Speaker Mike Johnson has challenged Democrats to support the bill, warning that a shutdown would occur if the legislation fails. GOP leadership contends that passing funding legislation well ahead of the September 30 deadline will allow Congress to focus on other legislative priorities. The House will be in session for only 16 additional days after this week before the current funding deadline arrives.
Republicans plan to allocate much of the remaining session time to advancing a separate party-line bill requesting $95 billion for defense spending, agricultural support, and portions of President Donald Trump’s election-related legislative agenda. GOP members such as Rep. Austin Scott argue that preventing a shutdown protects American citizens from economic disruption and helps Republican electoral prospects. House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole noted that Congress experienced both the longest federal shutdown and the longest partial shutdown in history during the current congressional term.
Democrats are expected to oppose the stopgap funding measure, which would maintain spending levels at current levels. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, the senior Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, criticized the bill for being presented without bipartisan negotiations and said Democrats sought protections against potential actions by the Trump administration to block or terminate certain grants. DeLauro stated that Congress should wait for additional information before extending funding rather than rushing through an incomplete extension.
The bill’s path through the Senate remains uncertain. Spending legislation requires 60 votes in the Senate to advance, meaning some Democratic support would be necessary for passage.