Johnson’s Stopgap Plan Meets Resistance Before Sept. 30 Deadline/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ House Republicans are preparing to release a short-term government funding bill to keep operations running until Nov. 20, but internal party divisions threaten the plan. Speaker Mike Johnson faces resistance from conservatives like Thomas Massie and Victoria Spartz, who oppose a “clean” continuing resolution. Democrats, meanwhile, insist on extending ACA subsidies, raising the stakes in the shutdown showdown.
Capitol Shutdown Showdown: Quick Looks
- Funding Deadline: Sept. 30, with GOP pushing CR through Nov. 20.
- Speaker’s Strategy: Johnson aims to jam Senate Democrats with GOP-only proposal.
- Security Add-On: Enhanced member protection sought after Charlie Kirk assassination.
- Graham’s Push: Russia sanctions bill lobbying continues but needs Trump’s approval.
- Democratic Demands: ACA insurance premium subsidies must be extended.
- Schumer’s Warning: Calls GOP-only bill a “deal-breaker.”
- GOP Opposition: Massie and Spartz vow to vote “no.”
- Other Critics: Warren Davidson and Marjorie Taylor Greene slam CR strategy.
- Senate Angle: Some Democrats open to “clean” bill as temporary measure.
- Other Agenda Items: Senate rules change on nominees, D.C. oversight bills, Fed nominee Stephen Miran up for confirmation.
Deep Look: GOP’s Stopgap Funding Bill Faces Resistance as Shutdown Deadline Looms
WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans are preparing to release a short-term continuing resolution (CR) to keep the federal government funded until Nov. 20, but Speaker Mike Johnson’s plan is already facing fractures inside his own party as well as Democratic resistance in the Senate.
The text of the CR is expected as early as Monday, according to three Republican lawmakers. GOP leaders want to put it on the House floor this week, leaving Congress just days to act before the Sept. 30 shutdown deadline.
Security, Sanctions, and Strategy
Republicans are working to attach new lawmaker security funding to the stopgap measure following the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Johnson said Sunday that “all options are on the table.”
At the same time, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) has lobbied to include his bipartisan Russia sanctions package, but GOP sources say it will not be added without public backing from President Donald Trump.
Democrats Dig In
Democrats in both chambers insist any funding package must come from bipartisan talks. Their top demand: an extension of Affordable Care Act (ACA) insurance premium subsidies, set to expire at year’s end. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has warned that omitting the credits would be a “deal-breaker.”
“If Republicans follow Donald Trump’s orders to not even bother dealing with Democrats, they will be single handedly putting our country on the path toward a shutdown,” a Schumer spokesperson said.
Some Senate Democrats, however, suggested they might support a “clean” CR if it buys more time to negotiate ACA subsidies later.
GOP Resistance Grows
Even before Democrats weigh in, Johnson faces growing pushback from within his party.
- Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) told reporters Monday he would oppose the CR unless it cut spending.
- Rep. Victoria Spartz (R-Ind.) announced on X that she is a firm “no,” criticizing the bill’s timing just before Thanksgiving.
- Rep. Warren Davidson (R-Ohio) threatened to oppose another CR, saying he was “out on more government.”
- Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) blasted Johnson for failing to hold strategy meetings, calling the CR a continuation of “Biden’s budget.”
Two “no” votes from Massie and Spartz already put GOP leaders in a precarious position, as Johnson can afford little dissent in a narrowly divided House.
Past Lessons, Current Risks
Many Republicans are betting on a repeat of March, when Schumer helped advance a GOP-led shutdown-averting bill despite Democratic frustration. But this time, Democrats are signaling less willingness to compromise, and pressure is building from the party’s base.
Meanwhile, Johnson is juggling party unity with efforts to memorialize Kirk. On Monday, he will host a Capitol vigil in Statuary Hall, with some Republicans pushing for further honors such as a statue or lying in state designation.
Other Business on Capitol Hill
While the funding showdown dominates headlines, other priorities move forward:
- Senate Rules Change: Majority Leader John Thune is pushing to streamline confirmations, with Kimberly Guilfoyle and Callista Gingrich among 48 nominees in the first batch.
- D.C. Oversight: House Republicans will vote on measures overriding local laws, citing crime and public safety concerns following Trump’s takeover of the city’s police department.
- Federal Reserve Nominee: The Senate is poised to confirm Trump ally Stephen Miran to the Federal Reserve, just in time for this week’s meeting where the Fed is expected to cut interest rates.
Outlook
With less than two weeks left, the fight over the stopgap bill sets up a high-stakes standoff. Johnson must contend with conservative resistance at home and Democratic demands in the Senate, leaving Congress with little room for error as the shutdown deadline approaches.
You must Register or Login to post a comment.