Congress Races to Avert Government Shutdown as House Passes Stopgap Bill

In a critical move to prevent an impending government shutdown, the House of Representatives, under Speaker Mike Johnson, successfully passed a Republican-backed stopgap funding bill on Friday. The measure, designed to fund federal operations through November 21, now shifts intense pressure onto Senate Democrats to either support the bill or risk a potential spending stalemate.

The 217-212 vote highlights Johnson’s tightrope walk in managing his narrow Republican majority. Despite the deadline being over a week away, Friday’s legislative activity dramatically increases the likelihood of a funding lapse. Both Republican and Democratic leaders remain firm in their stances, with neither side showing signs of compromise. Adding to the gridlock, the Senate later Friday rejected both the House-passed short-term funding measure and a Democratic alternative, with both resolutions failing to secure the necessary 60 votes.

With the Senate poised to begin a week-long recess, lawmakers are expected to return with less than 48 hours to secure a funding agreement before a potential shutdown. Senate Majority Leader John Thune indicated the Senate is unlikely to reconvene early, further escalating the pressure on Democrats. Republicans champion their bill as a ‘clean’ continuing resolution, including minor security funding adjustments and a fix for DC’s budget. Democrats, however, propose a bill with significant healthcare changes, including extending Affordable Care Act subsidies, which Republicans argue should be debated separately in year-end funding negotiations.

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