Speaker Johnson Turns to Democrats After Spending Bill Setback

Capitol dome with American flag, under cloudy sky.

House Speaker Mike Johnson is seeking Democratic support for a short-term spending bill after the House Rules Committee blocked it.

At a Glance

House Rules Committee declined to vote on a short-term spending bill, heightening shutdown risks.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) is turning to Democrats for support.
The three-month continuing resolution (CR) aims to fund the government through December 20.
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) scheduled a vote on the CR for Wednesday.
Bipartisan cooperation is now essential for the bill’s passage.

House Rules Committee Blocks Bill

The House Rules Committee recently decided against advancing a short-term spending bill aimed at preventing a government shutdown. Speaker Mike Johnson’s three-month continuing resolution, intended to extend government funding until December 20, did not get the nod from the Committee. Resistance from within his own party made it difficult to push the bill forward.

Speaker Johnson now finds himself in a precarious position, requiring Democratic support to navigate this legislative obstacle. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise has scheduled a vote on the CR for Wednesday, underscoring the urgency for cooperation across party lines. The GOP’s slim majority means every vote counts.

NEW: House rejects Speaker Mike Johnson's short-term spending bill to avoid a government shutdown. Vote was 202-220 (2 present) Fourteen Republicans voted against it. Shutdown deadline is Oct. 1.

— Mitchell Miller (@mmillerwtop) September 18, 2024

Funding Through December 20

The proposed three-month continuing resolution would keep the government funded through December 20. Multiple Republicans have opposed the measure, leading to its exclusion from the Rules Committee’s consideration. This opposition has forced Johnson to seek Democratic votes to prevent a potential government shutdown.

“While this is not the solution any of us prefer, it is the most prudent path forward under the present circumstances,” Johnson wrote in a letter to colleagues. “As history has taught and current polling affirms, shutting the government down less than 40 days from a fateful election would be an act of political malpractice.”

Massie Criticizes Timing

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) has been vocal about his disapproval, accusing Johnson of creating an artificial crisis to influence votes. “Why Christmas? So he can pressure Members to vote for a bill they haven’t read, by using their desire to see their families on Christmas Eve against them,” stated Massie.

“Why Christmas? So he can pressure Members to vote for a bill they haven’t read, by using their desire to see their families on Christmas Eve against them.”

Without a rule, the bill will need a two-thirds majority to pass under a suspension of the rules. This situation has led to House Majority Leader Scalise’s decision to expedite the vote. His actions clarify the critical need for bipartisan cooperation.

Bipartisan Cooperation Required

The Republican caucus’s slim majority necessitates Democratic collaboration to keep the government running. The urgency becomes clearer as we approach a potential shutdown without an actionable backup plan. Senate leaders are also expected to present their own stopgap measure, underlining the need for bipartisan negotiation.

“The play that we ran tonight was the right play,” Johnson said after the vote, while expressing disappointment that the bill didn’t pass. “So now we go back to the playbook, draw up another play and we’ll come up with a solution.”

Both sides of the aisle must find common ground to avoid a government shutdown. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has highlighted the need for cooperation to ensure government operations continue smoothly. The looming deadline leaves no room for error, making bipartisan support not just an option but a necessity.