House Republicans are forging a two-part approach to finance the government as the legislative body hurtles toward another spending deadline on Friday, according to sources familiar with the matter. Newly sworn-in House Speaker Mike Johnson laid out the plan in a GOP conference call and urged members to consider the strategy.
Johnson presented the two-stage approach with a nod to conservative members of his party, demonstrating bipartisan effort yet refusing to entirely yield to their desires. The plan, which extends funding without deep spending cuts, has been described as essential to positioning House Republicans for future conservative victories. The proposed bills include funding for a wide variety of critical areas such as military construction, Veterans Affairs, transportation, housing, and energy.
The two-stage strategy was met with mixed reactions, including a signal of openness from Senate Democratic leadership, but was harshly criticized by White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, who labeled it as a recipe for “Republican chaos and more shutdowns.” With lawmakers divided, the potential failure to pass a spending plan by Friday could lead to an array of economic consequences and disrupt significant government functions until Congress acts.
