House Passes Funding Bill Amid Divided Senate and Looming Shutdown

WASHINGTON — The U.S. House of Representatives voted Tuesday to approve a six-month funding bill aimed at averting a government shutdown, just days before the deadline. The vote passed narrowly at 217-213, with almost all Republicans supporting it except Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, while Democratic Rep. Jared Golden of Maine broke party lines to vote in favor.

The funding measure now heads to the Senate, where its future remains uncertain. Republicans hold 53 seats, but Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky has expressed firm opposition, indicating that at least eight Democratic senators will need to join Republicans to reach the Senate’s 60-vote threshold to pass the bill.

Government funding is set to expire late Friday, intensifying pressure on Senate leaders. Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., championed the bill in the House and cheered its passage as a unified Republican effort to prevent a shutdown. “We stood together, with one Democrat, to keep the government’s lights on,” Johnson said, urging Senate Democrats to act responsibly.

Democratic leaders criticized the bill for its partisan crafting, claiming they were excluded from discussions that led to its formation. While many Senate Democrats remained openly skeptical, several indicated they were keeping options open for supporting the legislation.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., refrained from committing to a position post-vote, stating, “We’re going to wait and see what the House does first.” Concerns within the Senate Democratic caucus highlight a lack of consensus on how to proceed, with some urging caution against a government shutdown.

Unlike standard stopgap bills that maintain funding levels, this measure includes slight military spending increases coupled with a $13 billion reduction in domestic nondefense expenditures. These changes have received strong opposition from House Democrats, who argue it disproportionately favors the White House and undermines essential services.

“The House Republican spending bill is an attack on everyday Americans,” said House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., criticizing proposed cuts in healthcare, veterans’ benefits, and nutritional assistance. He labeled the bill as “unacceptable,” reflecting widespread dissent among House Democrats.

Senator John Fetterman, D-Pa., indicated he would vote for the GOP’s funding initiative, citing a reluctance to risk a government closure. “I refuse to burn the village down and to claim to save it,” he remarked. Other senators, however, expressed caution, seeking further clarity on the potential repercussions of the bill.

With Trump Administration officials, including the Vice President, actively lobbying House Republicans, some party members remained undecided on favorable actions they might take. Discussions around maintaining party unity against the backdrop of necessary government funding sparked intense debate over the proper course of action.

As House Democrats prepare to cast their votes, they position themselves against the funding bill, aligning on a unified front. Jeffries reiterated the Democratic strategy, emphasizing the need to counteract governmental actions and demonstrate support for the American people.

As the deadline looms, the implications of this funding bill are significant, with potential repercussions on both sides of the Capitol as legislators grapple with their priorities and public expectations.