Funding Measures Introduced

This past Saturday, House Republicans presented a 99-page continuing resolution (CR) intended to fund the government until September. With a crucial deadline just a week away, the bill’s approval process remains uncertain.

Details of the Proposal

The proposed legislation includes provisions for a modest increase in defense spending while simultaneously reducing non-defense expenditures. Noteworthy is an additional allocation of $6 billion aimed at enhancing veterans’ health services. However, the CR does not address emergency spending, disaster funding, or community project allocations.

The House Rules Committee will review the bill on Monday, with a vote expected on the House floor Tuesday.

Challenges Ahead

As the March 14 deadline approaches, House Republicans are pushing forward to maintain funding levels for the government for the next six months. Traditionally, Democrats have collaborated with Republicans to prevent government shutdowns; however, their willingness to assist is not guaranteed this time around. House Speaker Mike Johnson has sought the support of Republican hardliners who generally oppose CRs due to principle.

Trump’s Influence

Notably, some of these hardliners met with former President Donald Trump at the White House recently. Post-meeting, Trump expressed on Truth Social that he believes “Conservatives will love this Bill,” urging party members to act decisively.

Texas Representative Chip Roy, known for resisting continuing resolutions, conveyed that Trump considers the CR essential to countering Democratic maneuvers.

Expected Reactions

Speaker Johnson indicated he anticipates adequate support for the proposal, expressing confidence that opposition will be limited, aside from Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky. However, skepticism remains among some Republican members, who are reviewing the bill’s content closely.

Addressing potential Democratic support, Johnson stated, “The responsible thing is to keep the government funded,” urging that a clean CR lacks substantial objections.

Democratic Opposition

Conversely, Democratic leaders have declared their opposition to the bill, labeling it “partisan” and warning that it jeopardizes funding for critical services, including healthcare and nutritional assistance for veterans. In a letter to their caucus, they argued that the bill would undermine vital programs to finance tax cuts for the wealthy.

“We cannot back a measure that rips away life-sustaining healthcare and retirement benefits from everyday Americans as part of the Republican scheme to pay for massive tax cuts for their wealthy donors like Elon Musk,” they stated, emphasizing Medicaid as a non-negotiable issue.