Speaker Mike Johnson announced on Sunday that the House of Representatives will vote this week on a three-month stopgap funding bill aimed at preventing a government shutdown set to occur on October 1. If passed, the bill would keep the federal government funded through December 20.
In a letter to his colleagues, Johnson emphasized that the proposed legislation will be a "narrow, bare-bones" continuing resolution (CR), including only the essential extensions needed to maintain government operations. "While this is not the solution any of us prefer, it is the most prudent path forward under the present circumstances," he stated. Johnson warned that shutting down the government less than 40 days before a significant election would be "an act of political malpractice."
Congress has just over a week to pass the CR to avoid a shutdown at 12:01 a.m. on October 1. If the House approves the measure, it will then move to the Senate for consideration.
The proposed bill does not incorporate the SAVE Act, which aims to require proof of citizenship for voter registration—a measure Johnson previously attempted to link to a longer-term funding proposal that was rejected by the House last week. The current plan includes an additional $231 million for the Secret Service to support protective operations related to the 2024 Presidential Campaign and other national security events.
The House Rules Committee is scheduled to review the CR during a meeting on Monday afternoon, with a vote on the House floor anticipated for Wednesday, according to a Republican leadership aide.
A spokesperson from the White House's Office of Management and Budget urged for the swift passage of the bipartisan measure, stating that it would keep the government running and provide Congress with more time to finalize full-year funding bills.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer expressed satisfaction with the bipartisan negotiations leading to the funding agreement, although he criticized Johnson's handling of the situation. "This same agreement could have been done two weeks ago," Schumer noted, emphasizing the need for timely action to prevent a shutdown.
Earlier in the day, Schumer conveyed optimism, stating there was a "really good chance" of avoiding a shutdown and underscoring the urgency of reaching an agreement. He highlighted ongoing discussions with Johnson and expressed his readiness to finalize the deal.
As tensions rise with less than 50 days until the presidential election, Johnson faces challenges in unifying his party around a spending plan. Former President Donald Trump has urged Republicans to resist moving forward with any budget resolution unless it includes guarantees on election security, advocating for a government shutdown instead.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell also cautioned against a shutdown, labeling it "politically beyond stupid" so close to the election. He reiterated the importance of avoiding a government closure, emphasizing that negotiations must continue between party leaders to reach a resolution.