House Rushes to Avoid Shutdown with Senate Funding Deal
In a last-minute effort to prevent a government shutdown, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) confirmed the House will vote “as soon as possible” on a bipartisan Senate agreement to extend federal funding. The announcement comes just days before the critical Friday midnight deadline that could trigger widespread disruptions.
Deadline Looms as Congress Scrambles
Lawmakers are racing against time to pass a stopgap funding measure—known as a continuing resolution (CR)—before funding expires. The Senate’s proposed deal extends deadlines for some agencies to March 1 and others to March 8, allowing more time to negotiate full-year budgets.
Speaker Johnson acknowledged the urgency: “The American people expect us to govern responsibly. We will move forward without delay.”
Bipartisan Senate Plan Faces House Hurdles
While Senate leaders Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Mitch McConnell (R-KY) back the deal, its fate in the House is uncertain. Hardline conservatives, including the House Freedom Caucus, oppose short-term fixes and demand spending cuts. Some have even threatened Johnson’s leadership if he proceeds without conservative demands.
Shutdown Risks: What’s at Stake?
A failure to pass funding would partially shutter agencies like Transportation, Agriculture, and HUD, disrupting:
– Food safety inspections
– Airport security staffing
– Veterans’ benefits processing
Past shutdowns have delayed pay for federal workers and cost the economy billions. Analysts warn this could worsen inflation and economic uncertainty.
Johnson’s High-Stakes Decision
With a slim GOP majority, Johnson risks conservative backlash by advancing the Senate deal but may rely on Democratic votes for passage. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) signaled support: “We must avoid a shutdown—this deal is reasonable.”
Next Steps
The House aims to vote by Thursday or early Friday. If approved, President Biden is expected to sign it immediately. However, last-minute disputes could still derail the process. Federal agencies are preparing contingency plans as the clock ticks down.
—Reported by [Your Name], NextMinuteNews
