House Republicans have unveiled a new spending bill that would fund federal agencies through September 30, aiming to avoid a partial government shutdown. The 99-page bill, set for a vote on Tuesday, provides slight increases to defense spending while cutting non-defense programs below last year’s budget levels. This approach is expected to spark significant opposition from Democrats, who typically seek balanced spending on both defense and non-defense priorities.
With a Friday deadline looming to avert a shutdown, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) is pushing the bill forward, hoping to pass it without Democratic support. Historically, government funding measures have been bipartisan, but Republicans are now attempting to pass the bill with minimal Democratic involvement, relying on their own majority in the House.
The bill has gained backing from former President Donald Trump, who expressed support on his Truth Social platform, urging Republicans to stay united. Trump’s influence is seen as crucial in keeping party members aligned. He emphasized the importance of remaining “united” to “put the country’s financial house in order.”
Under the bill, defense spending would rise to $892.5 billion, a slight increase from the previous year, while non-defense spending would be reduced to $708 billion, approximately $13 billion less than the previous year. The proposal also includes a historic pay increase for junior enlisted servicemembers and additional funding for nutritional assistance for women, infants, and young children.
However, the bill does not address key programs like Social Security or Medicare, which are funded automatically and are not subject to regular congressional review. Democratic leaders, including Rep. Hakeem Jeffries and Sen. Patty Murray, expressed strong opposition, criticizing the bill for lacking protections for vital programs and increasing the influence of figures like Trump and tech mogul Elon Musk over federal spending.
Maine Sen. Susan Collins, a key figure in the Senate Appropriations Committee, warned against a shutdown, stressing the negative impacts on essential government workers, such as military personnel and TSA agents. “We cannot allow that to occur,” Collins said.
While the bill faces challenges in the Senate, where it requires support from at least seven Democrats to overcome a filibuster, House Republicans are confident they can pass it with minimal Democratic support. Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) and other conservatives, who usually oppose continuing resolutions, have signaled their willingness to support the bill, trusting in Trump’s leadership.
Democratic leaders, however, argue that any solution should be bipartisan, as emphasized by Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), who stated that only a bipartisan solution could address the country’s budget needs.
With Republicans holding a slim majority in the House, the party must navigate significant opposition to pass the bill, leaving the fate of the measure uncertain as both parties prepare for a potential showdown.
