WASHINGTON — Speaker Mike Johnson and House Republicans expressed optimism on Tuesday that they can pass a temporary funding bill to prevent a government shutdown by the end of the week. Democratic leaders strongly oppose the six-month funding measure, criticizing Republicans for advancing a bill they were not involved in crafting. However, GOP leaders challenged Democrats to vote against the bill and risk a shutdown.
“We are confident in our ability to secure the votes needed to pass the continuing resolution. We are prepared to move forward independently,” Johnson stated to reporters after meeting with fellow Republicans. “Democrats should act responsibly, adhere to their own principles in past situations, and keep the government running.”
The House is set to vote on the bill on Tuesday afternoon. If it is approved, the funding legislation will then proceed to the Senate, where it requires 60 votes to overcome a Democratic filibuster, creating uncertainty.
Funding for the federal government is set to expire late Friday night. Even if Johnson manages to pass the funding bill with support from President Donald Trump, the margin is expected to be narrow. With Republicans holding a slim 218-214 majority in the House, Johnson can only afford one Republican defection assuming all members are present and voting. Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., has already announced his opposition, prompting Trump to suggest he will actively work against Massie in his 2026 primary election.
The bill overcame an initial obstacle in the House on Tuesday afternoon with a 216-214 vote, as Massie sided with all present Democrats in opposition. One Republican and one Democrat were absent for the vote. If any Democrats are missing during the final vote, it could provide a bit more leeway for Johnson and the Republicans.
Nonetheless, Republicans are not taking any risks. Trump and his advisors have been reaching out to undecided Republicans to secure their support for the funding bill, according to multiple sources. Prior to the vote on Tuesday morning, Vice President JD Vance met with House Republicans at the Capitol to rally support for the bill and encourage unity.
A positive development for Johnson is the backing of the House Freedom Caucus, known for challenging party leadership. Caucus chairman Andy Harris, R-Md., expressed full support for the continuing resolution during Johnson’s press briefing, stating, “This is not your typical continuing resolution. It involves a different approach to spending.”
Despite this endorsement, some House Republicans remain undecided on the bill. Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., mentioned discussing the bill with Trump and expressed concerns about Pentagon spending.
The 99-page bill differs from traditional “clean” funding extensions by slightly increasing military spending and proposing cuts to nondefense discretionary funds, which has irked Democrats. Additionally, Democrats criticized the bill for granting the Trump administration more authority over federal program funding, leading to concerns about oversight and spending control.
Democrats are advocating for safeguards against potential cuts to federal programs by Trump and his advisor Elon Musk. They argue that the Republican spending bill prioritizes partisan interests over protecting essential programs like Social Security
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., expressed concern about potential cuts to Medicare and Medicaid, stating that the funding bill being discussed could pave the way for further reductions in spending in the future. He criticized the bill, calling it a harmful attack on seniors, families, and veterans, and emphasized that he could not support it. In the Senate, where Republicans have a majority, at least eight Democrats would need to vote in favor of the bill for it to pass, as Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., has stated his intention to vote against it. Some Democratic senators, such as Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., have indicated they may support the GOP’s funding bill as a means to avoid a government shutdown. Other senators, like Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., and Sen. Angus King, an independent from Maine, are still evaluating the situation before taking a stance. Sen. Andy Kim, D-N.J., echoed the sentiment of Democratic appropriators in favor of a one-month extension to allow for further negotiations on a new funding agreement.
