House Republicans on Wednesday moved forward with a stopgap spending bill that would keep the government from shutting down at the end of the month.
In a 216-210 vote along party lines – with Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) voting “present” – the House approved debate rules for the 7-week spending bill funding the government at current levels through Nov. 21 – right before lawmakers are expected to leave Washington for a weeklong Thanksgiving recess.
The House is expected to take a final vote on the measure by Friday. If it clears the lower chamber, the bill would need to pass in the Senate and be signed by President Trump before a Sept. 30 deadline to avert a government shutdown.
“President Trump opposes a Government shutdown and every Member of Congress must support passage of this clean, short-term CR to keep the Government open as discussions on full-year appropriations continue,” read a White House statement of administrative policy released Wednesday.
On Monday, Trump himself urged Republicans to get behind the continuing resolution (CR).
“Congressional Republicans, including [Senate Majority] Leader John Thune and [House] Speaker Mike Johnson, are working on a short term ‘CLEAN’ extension of Government Funding to stop Cryin’ Chuck Schumer from shutting down the Government,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“In times like these, Republicans have to stick TOGETHER to fight back against the Radical Left Democrat demands, and vote ‘YES!’ on both Votes needed to pass a Clean CR this week,” the president added.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) told reporters earlier this week that Republicans are “committed” to keeping the government open as they hash out a long-term spending bill.
“We need responsible options to keep the government open while all this work continues and Republicans are committed to making that happen,” the speaker said Tuesday.
While the GOP caucus was mostly united for Wednesday’s procedural vote, some members have expressed opposition to passing another stopgap bill.
“Instead of passing a Republican appropriations bill with Trump policies and our spending priorities, in order to make his policies permanent. By continuing to pass CR’s, those that demand it and support it, are making Trump a temporary president with temporary policies,” Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) wrote on X.
Rep. Victoria Spartz (R-Ind.) bluntly posted: “Thanksgiving CR – NO.”
“I am willing to vote for a CR of any duration—short or long—the least damage to the Republic, but I cannot support one that ends funding right before a major holiday to jam us with an Omnibus. I’ve seen this playbook too many times,” Spartz wrote on X.
Meanwhile, Democratic leadership is staunchly opposed to the GOP-crafted measure.
“The House Republicans-only spending bill fails to meet the needs of the American people and does nothing to stop the looming healthcare crisis,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) said in a joint statement.
“By refusing to work with Democrats, Republicans are steering our country straight toward a shutdown,” they added.
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