House approves short-term funding bill to avoid shutdown before midterms

The House of Representatives has approved a temporary measure to fund the government until December 4, aiming to sidestep a shutdown before the crucial November midterm elections. This continuing resolution, passed by a vote of 220 to 205, saw six Democrats align with the majority of Republicans.

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The CR is as clean as they come. There are no poison pills. There's no maneuvers. There's nothing other than a simple extension of current funding levels.

House Speaker Mike Johnson described the measure as "clean," devoid of "poison pills" or "maneuvers," simply extending current funding levels. The vote occurred just days before the House was scheduled to begin its five-week August recess. The bill now proceeds to the Senate, which is expected to consider it before its own August break.

With government funding set to expire on September 30, lawmakers face a tight deadline to avert a shutdown. House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole emphasized the desire to eliminate the possibility of a shutdown during the pre-election period, recalling two previous shutdowns in the current Congress. Senate Majority Leader John Thune confirmed plans to bring a short-term spending bill to the floor for a vote before the Senate's August recess.

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We want to take away the possibility of a shutdown between now and the election.

While the House has advanced all 12 annual appropriations bills, the process has stalled in the Senate. House Republicans' continuing resolution maintains current funding levels without controversial additions, a point acknowledged by top House Democrat Rosa DeLauro. However, the Senate's path forward remains uncertain, with Thune suggesting the possibility of using the House's budget resolution as a vehicle for funding through November, which could allow for passage with a simple majority.

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That is something that I intend to bring to the floor for a vote before the August break.