House set to vote on critical government funding bill just before shutdown deadline

The House is set to vote on Friday on crucial government spending bills before the looming shutdown deadline at the end of the day. This comes after a lengthy funding battle on Capitol Hill.

There are concerns about a possible partial shutdown at midnight on Friday due to the tight timeline. However, leaders from both parties are working to avert this scenario.

The bill covers important government operations such as the departments of Defense, Homeland Security, Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, State, and the legislative branch.

If the House approves the bill, it will then move to the Senate for consideration. Lawmakers in the Senate will need to come to an agreement quickly to pass the bill. If both chambers of Congress do not pass the bill before the deadline, there could be a temporary funding gap leading to a partial shutdown. However, if funding is approved over the weekend before the work week begins, the impact of a partial shutdown would be minimal.

As of Thursday night, senior GOP sources indicated that top House Republicans are confident they will have enough votes to pass the spending package. However, it may be a close call as they will require a two-thirds majority to push the bill through. This means that Democrats will need to lend their support to ensure the bill's passage, especially with some members of the House GOP Conference showing resistance.

The US Capitol in Washington, DC, in 2024.

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What’s in the $1.2 trillion government funding package

It's still uncertain whether the GOP will be able to secure a majority of their conference, which is an important goal they aim for in every vote.

The $1.2 trillion government funding package was revealed shortly before 3 a.m. ET on Thursday, and it consists of over 1,000 pages.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer expressed relief on Thursday, stating that the legislative package arrived just in time, with less than 48 hours left before the deadline for a partial government shutdown. He emphasized the urgency for Congress to quickly pass the package to avoid a shutdown by Friday. Schumer highlighted the need for bipartisan cooperation in the Senate to ensure the bill's timely passage.

After repeatedly avoiding shutdowns with temporary measures, Congress finally approved a package of six bills in early March to fund several government agencies for the remainder of the fiscal year.

Lawmakers need to provide funding for the remaining government operations to complete the yearly federal budget process. This has been delayed more than usual due to disagreements over policies between political parties and the recent change in leadership in the House, where former Speaker Kevin McCarthy was removed by conservatives in a historic vote last year.

The current Speaker, Mike Johnson, took over after McCarthy's removal but is facing challenges with a very slim majority. He is also receiving criticism from members of his own party for how he is managing the debate over government funding.

Johnson commended the bill on Thursday morning, highlighting the conservative victories included in it.

In a statement, Johnson expressed his approval of the FY24 appropriations legislation, emphasizing its dedication to enhancing national defense by refocusing the Pentagon on its primary objectives and providing increased support for our military personnel.

Louisiana Republican needs votes from both Democrats and Republicans to pass remaining government funding legislation. This has caused tension within the House GOP conference.

On Thursday, House members from both parties criticized the agreement. Progressives and far-right members had different reasons for their dissatisfaction.

Cherry blossoms are seen in front of the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on March 18.

Cherry blossoms are seen in front of the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on March 18.

Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images

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GOP Rep. Chip Roy from Texas mentioned to CNN that he will not support any Republican who votes for the bill. He also stated that the leadership is responsible for the bill and called it a "failure."

"It would be really hard for me to do that," he told CNN's Manu Raju. "The Republican conference would be failing if they approve this bill."

House progressives are also unhappy with some aspects of the bill, with some saying they will vote against it. They are particularly concerned about provisions that would stop funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees for a year, due to allegations of UNRWA employees being involved in the October 7 attack against Israel.

Many Republicans have expressed their reluctance to have another speaker's race following the turmoil caused by McCarthy's removal, raising questions about whether Johnson could face a similar threat to his speakership.

President Joe Biden recently signed a six-bill funding package into law this month. This package included funding for various departments such as Agriculture, Commerce, Justice, Veterans Affairs, Energy, Interior, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, as well as the Food and Drug Administration, military construction, and other federal programs.

CNN’s Manu Raju contributed to this report.

Editor's P/S:

The looming government shutdown deadline has brought to light the deep divisions within the House of Representatives. The $1.2 trillion spending package, released at the eleventh hour, faces an uncertain fate as top House Republicans struggle to secure enough votes for its passage. Senior GOP sources indicate confidence, but the required two-thirds majority hinges on Democratic support, which may be hindered by resistance from some House GOP members. The tight timeline and the need for bipartisan cooperation raise concerns about a possible partial shutdown at midnight on Friday.

The article highlights the challenges faced by Speaker Mike Johnson, who took over after the historic removal of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Johnson's slim majority and criticism from within his own party create hurdles in navigating the debate over government funding. The inclusion of conservative victories in the bill and the criticism from both progressives and far-right members further complicate the situation. As the clock ticks down, the fate of the spending package and the potential for a government shutdown remain uncertain.