House Republicans successfully passed a federal funding bill on Tuesday, securing a key legislative victory for President Donald Trump. The bill, which aims to prevent a government shutdown, advanced primarily along party lines in a 217-213 vote.
The vote was notable for being one of the rare instances where a majority of House Democrats opposed a measure that would keep the government running. Only one Democrat, Rep. Jared Golden of Maine, joined the Republican majority, while one Republican, Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, voted against the bill.
Following the vote, Republican lawmakers erupted in cheers on the House floor, celebrating the win. With the bill’s passage, the House will be out of session until March 24.
The legislation, a short-term extension of fiscal year 2024 funding known as a continuing resolution (CR), now heads to the Senate. It must pass there and reach Trump’s desk by Friday, March 14, to avoid a partial government shutdown.
Trump’s Influence Helps Secure Republican Votes
Trump played a significant role in securing Republican support for the bill. Some lawmakers who had previously opposed continuing resolutions changed their stance due to his influence.
Rep. Eric Burlison of Missouri, who has never supported such measures in the past, admitted that Trump was the deciding factor in his decision to vote in favor of the bill.
“The ‘barely’ is Donald Trump,” Burlison stated. “He is the difference maker. I would never support this language, but I do trust Donald Trump.”
Similarly, Rep. Greg Steube of Florida, who has consistently opposed CRs, explained his decision to back this particular bill.
“I’ll be the first guy to tell you I don’t like CRs. I’ve never voted for one,” Steube said. “But the Democrats aren’t going to help us. And the Democrats are just going to put any shutdown on the president, which obviously isn’t good for the party. So I think it’s important that we give the party, the president, and the conference time to come up with a good budget.”
Challenges in the Senate
Despite its passage in the House, the bill is expected to face challenges in the Senate. At least one Republican senator, Rand Paul of Kentucky, has already stated his opposition.
With the Senate requiring a 60-vote threshold for passage, Republicans will likely need the support of at least eight Democrats to get the bill through.
Key Provisions in the Funding Bill
The bill includes several funding measures aimed at addressing national security concerns and domestic spending priorities.
One of the key components is an additional $8 billion for defense spending to appeal to national security hawks. The bill also reduces non-defense discretionary spending by approximately $13 billion.
For veterans, the bill includes an extra $6 billion in healthcare funding, addressing concerns about medical care for those who have served in the military.
Additionally, the White House had requested various “anomalies,” or extra funding for specific programs not included in the previous funding extension. Some of these requests were incorporated into the bill, such as:
- Additional funding for the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) federal benefits program.
- Nearly $1 billion for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to assist with deportations.
Republican Lawmakers Praise the Bill
Many rank-and-file Republicans expressed their satisfaction with the bill’s passage, citing its alignment with Trump’s fiscal priorities.
Rep. Randy Feenstra of Iowa emphasized the bill’s role in maintaining essential government functions while advancing conservative policies.
“My vote for this clean, fiscally conservative continuing resolution ensures that we pay our troops and fully fund our border patrol agents while continuing our work to extend the Trump Tax Cuts,” Feenstra told Fox News Digital.
As the bill moves to the Senate, its fate remains uncertain. However, House Republicans have sent a clear signal of their alignment with Trump’s leadership, reinforcing his influence over the party’s legislative agenda.