House Speaker Mike Johnson’s plan to prevent a government shutdown is set to be considered by the House on Tuesday, which is good news following a notice sent to lawmakers late Monday night. The unique stopgap measure is a temporary funding solution for the government, known as a “continuing resolution,” that will be put on the House floor under a procedure called suspension of the rules. This enables it to bypass the House Rules Committee, where Republicans had signaled they would not advance the bill. While the approach has proven effective in preventing a government shutdown, it also comes with some caveats. The measure cannot be amended and requires a two-thirds majority to pass in the House.
Former Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s use of this tactic in the past ultimately led to a successful outcome that prevented a government shutdown. However, the move cost McCarthy the speakership after a vote of no confidence was introduced against him by Rep. Matt Gaetz. The upcoming consideration of Speaker Johnson’s plan is expected to rely on the support of Democrats, yet there has so far been no clear sign that Republicans would act to oust Johnson in the same way McCarthy was removed due to the limited time he has served as speaker.
While House Democrats have discussed the measure, they have not reached a final decision. However, there are promising signs for the bill’s prospects. Despite expressed concerns about the structure of the bill, Progressive Caucus Chair Pramila Jayapal noted that two significant components were included in the bill. Chip Roy of Texas expressed some reservations against the plan, while other Republican representatives oppose it.
Before the start of a new fiscal year on Oct. 1, Congress is responsible for passing a dozen appropriations bills. Efforts to avoid a government shutdown are underway, and leaders have acknowledged the need for temporary funding to avert this situation. President Biden has indicated a willingness to sign Speaker Johnson’s bill if it passes through Congress.
The Senate will vote on its own short-term funding extension after pausing plans to allow the House to move forward with their proposal. This development highlights the urgent need to address potential consequences of a government shutdown and the ongoing legislative debate surrounding funding.
In summary, Speaker Johnson’s forward-looking plan may be the key to avoiding a government shutdown, demonstrating a much-needed bipartisan effort to address the situation and signal progress towards a resolution. The unique “continuing resolution” represents a step in the right direction in maintaining government operations and minimizing disruptions that a shutdown would entail.
For further insight and analysis on this developing situation, we will keep you informed of the latest updates here as events unfold.
