March 9, 2025

GOP bill to avoid government shutdown

Time - House Republicans unveiled a spending bill Saturday that would keep federal agencies funded through Sept. 30, pushing ahead with a go-it-alone strategy that seems certain to spark a major confrontation with Democrats over the contours of government spending.

The 99-page bill would provide a slight boost to defense programs while trimming nondefense programs below 2024 budget year levels. That approach is likely to be a nonstarter for most Democrats who have long insisted that defense and nondefense spending move in the same direction. Congress must act by midnight Friday to avoid a partial government shutdown.

Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., is teeing up the bill for a vote on Tuesday despite the lack of buy-in from Democrats, essentially daring them to vote against it and risk a shutdown. He also is betting that Republicans can muscle the legislation through the House largely by themselves.

 Wall Street Journal - House Speaker Mike Johnson has released a proposal endorsed by President Trump that would keep the federal government funded through September, setting up a showdown in the coming week with Democrats (read for free). Even if a majority in the House passes the proposal, which boosts military funding while cutting nondefense spending, it will need at least 60 votes in the Senate. Funding for federal agencies runs out Friday night.


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