The House of Representatives has passed a stopgap spending bill designed to prevent a government shutdown, with overwhelming bipartisan support.
Despite vocal Democratic objections, the bill passed with a decisive 366-34 vote and will now proceed to the Senate ahead of the shutdown deadline.
Democrats raised similar objections to those expressed during the previous day’s government funding debate. Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro (D-CT), known for her fiery rhetoric, delivered a nearly identical speech, accusing Republicans of bowing to “President Musk” and pushing for a shutdown.
However, when Republicans framed opposition to the bill as equivalent to endorsing a government shutdown, all Democrats present voted in favor. The final tally included 196 Democrats voting yes, while 34 Republicans opposed the measure, citing fiscal concerns.
Republicans who voted against the bill cited concerns about unsustainable spending levels and the need to align with President-elect Donald Trump’s fiscal agenda.
This resistance followed the rejection of a previous 1,547-page continuing resolution (CR) criticized by the MAGA base for being bloated and out of line with Trump’s America First policies. The newly passed bill is a leaner 118 pages, crafted to align more closely with Trump’s directives.
President-elect Donald Trump urged Congress to take bold action, advocating for an extension or removal of the debt ceiling as a negotiating tactic. In a Truth Social post, Trump emphasized long-term fiscal discipline, promising significant spending cuts in the coming year through reconciliation:
“The United States will cut Hundreds of Billions of Dollars in spending next year through Reconciliation!”
Trump also called for immediate resolution of the funding crisis under the current administration, stating:
“If there is going to be a shutdown of government, let it begin now, under the Biden Administration, not after January 20th, under ‘TRUMP.’”
While Democrats unanimously supported the final stopgap bill, their earlier objections drew criticism. Vice President-elect JD Vance accused House Democrats of prioritizing unrelated global initiatives over domestic governance, referencing provisions in the previously rejected 1,547-page CR.
“They [Democrats] would rather shut down the government and fight for global censorship bullsh*t,” Vance remarked, referring to the Global Engagement Center program included in the prior resolution.
Representative Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) highlighted that the final bill reflected Trump’s vision, with no concessions to Democratic demands.
“This bill incorporates only minor modifications and was crafted without any concessions to Democratic demands,” Luna stated.
Trump praised Republicans for their efforts, asserting that while resolving the issue is primarily President Biden’s responsibility, Republicans have demonstrated their willingness to step in:
“This is a Biden problem to solve, but if Republicans can help solve it, they will!”
The newly passed bill aims to fund key government functions, including disaster relief, military operations, and support for farmers, while trimming excess spending. As it moves to the Senate, both parties appear keen to avoid the political fallout of a government shutdown, especially as Trump’s inauguration looms in January.