The Republican-controlled House voted Friday to pass a temporary measure aimed at keeping the federal government funded until just before Thanksgiving, setting up a showdown with Senate Democrats who have already signaled their opposition. The narrow vote outcome puts the nation on track for another potential budget standoff at the end of the month.
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Breakdown of the Vote
The measure passed in the House by a 217-212 margin. Only one Democrat, Representative Jared Golden of Maine, sided with Republicans in support of the bill. Opposition came from two Republicans, Representatives Tim Burchett of Tennessee and Victoria Spartz of Indiana, who joined all other Democrats in voting against it.
The legislation now advances to the Senate, where Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York and other Democrats have pledged to reject it. They have presented their own competing proposal, though both plans are widely expected to fail when they reach the Senate floor.
Competing Funding Proposals
The House version of the continuing resolution, often referred to as a CR, extends government funding at current levels until November 21 without introducing new policy changes. Republicans describe the measure as a straightforward approach to prevent a shutdown and allow more time for negotiations on a long-term spending deal.
In contrast, the Senate Democratic plan would fund the government only until October 31 and includes policy measures that Republicans strongly oppose. These provisions would permanently extend Affordable Care Act subsidies due to expire at the end of the year, reverse Medicaid cuts from former President Donald Trump’s legislation, and restore funding that Democrats say was cut in areas such as foreign aid and public broadcasting.
Schumer told reporters Thursday, “Democrats have a different option. We address the crises Americans face in health care, in Medicaid, in inflation and in higher costs.” He also accused Trump of directing congressional Republican leaders not to negotiate with Democrats, saying, “Donald Trump made it clear, don’t even bother dealing with the Democrats. Thune and Johnson listen to Trump. They are not independent actors. They don’t represent an independent Congress, an independent House or an independent Senate. And when Donald Trump says don’t negotiate with Democrats, they don’t and come up with 20 excuses.”
Republicans Defend Their Bill
House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana defended the GOP bill, which is supported by Trump, in a Thursday night appearance on Fox News. Johnson argued that the measure is a responsible and “clean” solution to avoid an immediate shutdown.
“We need a few more weeks to finish this good work” on a longer-term funding deal, Johnson said. “What we did, in a responsible manner as Republicans in charge, is we offered a totally clean short-term CR to get that job done. Chuck Schumer saw that. He returned a counteroffer that is filled with partisan wish lists and poison pills and demands.”
Democrats, however, contend that the bill maintains funding levels they argue were already reduced under Trump-era cuts, meaning it does not constitute a neutral extension.
The Stakes of a Shutdown
If lawmakers cannot reconcile their proposals and secure Trump’s signature, the federal government will face a shutdown beginning October 1, the start of the new fiscal year. During a shutdown, essential services such as Border Patrol, the Postal Service, and Social Security would continue operating, but federal workers, including members of the military, would not receive pay.
Both the House and Senate are scheduled for recess next week for Rosh Hashanah. The House may return briefly on September 29 and 30, though Republican leaders have suggested canceling those days to increase pressure on Senate Democrats to accept the House-passed measure.
Security Funding in the Bill
In response to heightened safety concerns following the assassination of Charlie Kirk, the House bill allocates $58 million to strengthen executive and judicial branch security. It also provides $30 million for additional congressional security, including reimbursement for local police who protect lawmakers during public events or at their homes.
Speaker Johnson emphasized that the increase in security resources was a necessary step, noting, “When you have a big event like we had with the tragic shooting of our friend Charlie Kirk, it draws attention to it, and we’re in a constant process of improvement, making sure that we have the latest and greatest technology and resources available. So that’s the process we’ve been going through. We’re adding additional funding and measures to ensure that everybody is safe and that they can do their job representing the people from back home.”
Bipartisan negotiators are also working on additional security provisions for fiscal year 2026 spending bills.
Conclusion
The passage of the House bill highlights sharp divisions between Republicans and Democrats on how to keep the government running. With both chambers advancing conflicting measures and little time before the October 1 deadline, the possibility of a shutdown remains high. Negotiations in the coming days will determine whether Congress can bridge the gap or if the standoff will force another lapse in government funding.
