House Speaker Unveils Bill to Prevent Government Shutdown Next Week

WASHINGTON — House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., introduced a funding bill Saturday aimed at preventing a government shutdown at the end of next week, ensuring government operations continue through the end of September.

Johnson stated he would bring the bill to the House floor for a vote early next week, likely Tuesday, before federal funding expires late Friday night. The proposal’s ability to pass is uncertain, as it has not been negotiated with Democrats, which poses a significant challenge for the Republican majority on this essential bipartisan measure.

President Donald Trump endorsed Johnson’s plan, indicating he would sign the bill if it reaches his desk. “All Republicans should vote (Please!) YES next week,” Trump urged in a statement shortly after the bill’s announcement. “I am asking you all to give us a few months to get us through to September so we can continue to put the Country’s ‘financial house’ in order. Democrats will do anything they can to shut down our Government, and we can’t let that happen.”

The continuing resolution (CR) proposed by Johnson includes increased defense funding while reducing nondefense discretionary spending. Notably, the bill does not allow for additional emergency funding, disaster designations, or earmarked community project funding. “There’s no Christmas tree effect here,” a House Republican leadership aide commented. “It’s just what we need to fund the government and to allow that to happen.”

However, Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., the top Democrat on the Appropriations Committee, criticized the proposed legislation immediately after its release. “I strongly oppose this full-year continuing resolution, which is a power grab for the White House and further allows unchecked billionaire Elon Musk and President Trump to steal from the American people,” she stated, emphasizing that the legislation prematurely ends negotiations for full-year funding that benefits the middle class and ensures national security.

House Democratic leaders expressed their opposition to Johnson’s plan ahead of its release, warning that the bill could lead to budget cuts in critical areas such as health care, nutritional assistance, and veterans benefits. The divide between the parties raises concerns about a government shutdown; if House Democrats unite against the bill, it remains uncertain whether Republicans can pass it with a party-line vote, similar to their recent success a month prior.

The Republican majority in the House is precariously thin at 218-214, meaning just two Republican votes against the measure could bring it down. Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., known for his dissent against Johnson’s approaches, has pledged to vote no.

“It’s obviously a challenge for us,” said Rep. August Pfluger, R-Texas, chairman of the conservative Republican Study Committee, during a press briefing following a funding meeting with key House and Senate Republicans.

Should Johnson manage to advance the stopgap bill through the House, Senate Democrats will be closely watched next. With Republicans holding a 53-47 advantage in the Senate, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., would require seven Democratic votes to defeat a filibuster and pass the measure.

Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., vice chair of the Appropriations Committee, harshly criticized the bill, labeling it a “slush fund continuing resolution” that would empower Trump and Musk further over federal spending and disrupt funding fairness.

Although neither party is advocating for a government shutdown, their stark differences on how to avert one remain apparent. Republicans contend that ongoing distractions could hinder their efforts to address issues related to border security, energy, and tax cuts. In contrast, Democrats demand stricter controls on presidential spending powers—an aspect the GOP opposes.

Meanwhile, Democratic leaders have condemned the cuts to federal spending proposed by Trump and congressional Republicans, which they argue would lead to job losses for thousands of federal employees. In a letter sent to their colleagues before the bill’s introduction, Democratic leaders described the proposed CR as “not acceptable.” A shutdown would result in the furlough of millions of federal employees across the nation, raising significant concerns about the repercussions on public services and workers.