House Republicans block their own funding bill, risking government shutdown

House Republicans were unable to pass their own plan to avoid a government shutdown at the end of the month, with disagreements within the party over the length of a short-term funding bill and what should be attached to it. Speaker Mike Johnson’s proposal for a six-month funding extension through March 2025, paired with the SAVE Act backed by Donald Trump, failed to win enough support from Republicans. Democrats want a clean three-month funding bill with no attachments, leading to a lack of bipartisan consensus. President Trump has urged Republicans to shut down the government if the SAVE Act is not passed, further complicating the situation. House Republicans are divided, with some opposing any stopgap funding bills while others warn against stagnant military spending. The focus now shifts to the Senate for a solution before the looming shutdown deadline. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer may bring a clean bill for a short-term extension, giving negotiators more time to reach a longer-term agreement. The potential shutdown just weeks before the election is seen as politically damaging for the GOP, and there is pressure to avoid such a scenario. Speaker Johnson is tasked with finding a resolution to keep the government running, with hopes of bipartisan cooperation to prevent a shutdown. Former House Appropriations Chair Rosa DeLauro is optimistic that a funding bill will be reached to avoid the devastating impacts of a government shutdown.

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