House Passes Bipartisan Measure to Avert Shutdown, Keep Government Funded through 2024
Millions of Americans can breathe a little easier this Thanksgiving as the House of Representatives passed a bipartisan measure to keep the government funded through early 2024. The proposal, once passed by the Senate and signed by President Joe Biden, will ensure uninterrupted paychecks for U.S. military personnel and federal civilian workers, including airport security screeners and air traffic controllers who are responsible for the safety of holiday travelers.
The stopgap measure, although not ideal, provides a practical way for the two parties to buy more time to resolve their differences. This plan will allow us to avoid harmful government shutdowns during the holidays, said Rep. Kay Granger, chair of the Appropriations Committee.
The proposal received significant support, with 336 representatives voting in favor and 95 voting against it. A total of 209 Democrats and 127 Republicans backed the measure, while two Democrats and 93 Republicans voted against it.
Speaker Mike Johnson, newly elected from Louisiana, decided to bring the proposal to the floor, despite some grumbling within his own party regarding the lack of spending cuts and changes to border policies sought by Republicans. Johnson, who has only been in office for a short time, is hoping his fellow Republicans will give him more leeway than his predecessor. He emphasized the need for patience, stating, It took decades to get into this mess. I’ve been at the job less than three weeks. I can’t turn an aircraft carrier overnight.
The previous stopgap measure was set to expire on Friday night, and the newly passed bill would provide funding for a little over two months. Speaker Johnson introduced an innovative approach by splitting government funding into two parts. Bills covering veterans, transportation, housing, agriculture, and energy would be extended until January 19, while defense, homeland security, and other agencies would be extended until February 2.
Johnson’s plan aims to avoid the end-of-year rush in which bipartisan deals are struck at the last minute, forcing members to make decisions on massive spending bills that they have barely had time to read. This year, however, Johnson hopes to break that tradition and guarantee the American people a government that remains funded without resorting to a shutdown just before Christmas.
The Texas delegation was divided over the measure, with 13 Republicans opposing it and the other 12 supporting it. All Texas Democrats voted in favor of the bill, although some expressed concerns about delaying the matter until next year, considering it irresponsible. They also raised issues regarding the absence of aid to Israel and Ukraine.
The bill will now move to the Senate, where it is likely to pass. Senator John Cornyn of Texas acknowledged the broken process but expressed openness to Johnson’s proposal due to the time constraints faced by lawmakers. Senator Ted Cruz has not publicly stated his position on the measure but has previously criticized stopgap measures.
The passage of this measure raises questions about Speaker Johnson’s future, despite the initial excitement among his hard-right members. Representative Chip Roy indicated that Johnson’s decision to pass the legislation with overwhelming support from Democrats was not a conservative approach and warned of potential consequences in the future.
In conclusion, the House’s bipartisan measure to avert a shutdown and keep the government funded through 2024 provides temporary relief, ensuring paychecks for military personnel and federal workers. While some Republicans were dissatisfied with the lack of spending cuts and changes to border policies, Speaker Johnson’s innovative plan aims to avoid the last-minute rush and deliver a funded government without resorting to a shutdown. The bill will now move to the Senate, and its passage remains imminent.
