Jean MartinSenate must act fast to keep the country open while Marjorie Taylor Greene forces to oust House speaker Mike Johnson.
Last-Minute Vote:
With just hours remaining to avert a partial government shutdown, the House of Representatives voted on Friday to pass a $1.2 trillion spending package.
The bill, which would fund much of the federal government through September, now moves to the Senate for urgent consideration.
House Vote Breakdown:
The House vote resulted in a 286 to 134 outcome, with 101 Republicans and 185 Democrats supporting the funding bill. However, 22 Democrats and 112 Republicans opposed the proposal, showcasing bipartisan divisions over the legislation.
Speaker’s Statement:
Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson introduced the bill under suspension of the rules, requiring the support of two-thirds of members for passage.
While the bill barely crossed this threshold, Johnson expressed optimism following the successful vote, highlighting conservative policy wins and defense strengthening measures.
Senate Action Required:
Now, the spending package heads to the Senate, where members must swiftly agree on fast-tracking its passage to prevent a government shutdown. President Joe Biden has already indicated his readiness to sign the bill once it reaches his desk, underscoring the urgency of Senate action.
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Scope of Funding:
The bill would finance approximately 70% of the federal government, covering key departments such as defense, state, education, and homeland security, until the end of the fiscal year on September 30th.
Biden had previously signed a separate spending bill to fund the remaining federal government through September, ensuring stability until October.
As the Senate prepares to deliberate on the spending package, the urgency to prevent a government shutdown underscores the need for swift bipartisan action to address funding priorities and avoid disruptions to essential government operations.
