House Republicans have introduced a stopgap spending bill designed to prevent a government shutdown set for October 1, challenging Democrats to oppose the measure, which lacks the health-care provisions they seek.
The proposed legislation would fund government operations until November 21 and allocate additional resources for security measures for lawmakers, judicial officials, and administration personnel in light of the recent assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
To overcome procedural hurdles, the bill requires at least seven Senate Democrats’ votes to meet the 60-vote threshold. In the House, Republican leaders may also face difficulties passing the bill due to slim margins and opposition from Democrats, despite calls from former President Donald Trump for party solidarity in supporting interim funding.
Provisions within the bill include $30 million for legislation allowing local police reimbursements for security, as well as $30 million for executive branch security and $28 million for the judiciary.
The measure also addresses a request from the White House, permitting the District of Columbia to use its own tax revenues, a provision omitted in the previous stopgap bill that created a $1 billion funding shortfall for the District.
Before the bill’s release, four Republican members expressed their dissent. Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky indicated he would oppose any stopgap bill unless it included spending cuts, which he doubts are likely. Representative Victoria Spartz of Indiana stated she would vote against the bill if its new deadline coincided with major holidays, specifically Thanksgiving on November 27. Two additional Republicans, Warren Davidson of Ohio and Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, signaled their opposition as well.
With these defections, House Speaker Mike Johnson may need to rely on Democratic support to pass the measure. Representative Jared Golden, a Democrat from Maine, previously indicated his willingness to support stopgap funding.
Democratic leaders have declared their refusal to back any legislation that does not address rising health-care costs. In March, similar shutdown threats emerged, but Minority Leader Chuck Schumer ultimately relented to allow a vote on advancing legislation.
Democratic priorities include extending expiring Obamacare premium subsidies, reversing Medicaid cuts implemented under the prior administration’s tax legislation, and preventing unilateral cuts to medical research funding by the White House. The current Republican bill does not address any of these health care demands. Some moderate Republicans, however, have expressed willingness to renew the Obamacare subsidies, with Senate Republican Leader John Thune suggesting a potential compromise could be achieved in the future.
Democrats contend that notices of premium increases for Obamacare enrollees will begin on November 1, making immediate action necessary. Without a resolution, Obamacare tax credits will be limited to families earning up to 400% of the poverty line.
Johnson announced that the House plans to vote on the bill by Friday, allowing the Senate to address it before a scheduled week-long recess.
On Tuesday, Thune and Schumer engaged in a public dispute regarding their communication about the stopgap bill, underscoring the continued risk of a government shutdown.
