House Passes Another Short-Term Spending Bill, Rejecting Conservative Bid For Border Attachment – Conservative Angle
The Republican-led House has approved another short-term spending bill to avoid a government shutdown, disregarding the efforts of conservative members pushing for border security reforms to be attached. With a bipartisan vote of 314-108, the lower chamber passed a measure that will fund federal agencies in two stages, providing funding until March 1 and March 8 respectively. The Senate, which is controlled by Democrats, had previously passed the spending legislation with a 77-18 vote, and the bill is now expected to be signed by President Joe Biden.
This stop-gap spending bill will allow lawmakers more time to resolve their differences on fiscal 2024 legislation, which has faced multiple delays. The previous deadline was set for the end of Friday, but additional votes this week have been canceled due to an approaching winter storm in Washington, D.C.
In the Senate, senators surpassed the 60-vote threshold to pass the legislation after rejecting an amendment proposed by Senator Rand Paul (R-KY). This amendment aimed to restrict aid to Palestinians until all hostages abducted by Hamas in the attacks on Israel are released, among other conditions. The amendment was voted down, clearing the way for the spending bill’s passage.
Within the House, the conservative Freedom Caucus made a push for GOP leadership to include border security policy changes, but their efforts were in vain. The Freedom Caucus released an official position, urging Republicans to uphold commitments to end inflationary spending and secure the border. They specifically called on conservatives to oppose the Johnson-Schumer CR, referring to House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY).
Earlier this week, Johnson and Schumer, alongside other key members of Congress, met with President Biden at the White House. The meeting aimed to discuss a national security funding request for U.S. allies such as Ukraine and Israel, as well as border security. Meanwhile, a bipartisan group of senators is working to negotiate an immigration deal.
I told President Biden: it’s on you, stated Johnson. Your policies created the border crisis. Your executive action can end it. House Republicans will continue to demand transformative policy change and hold this administration accountable until the border is secure.
The passage of this short-term spending bill demonstrates the ongoing challenges faced by lawmakers in reaching consensus on long-term fiscal plans and border security. As the deadline for fiscal 2024 legislation approaches, policymakers will need to find common ground to address the pressing issues facing the nation.
