The House on Tuesday passed a stopgap bill to prevent a government shutdown, sending the unconventional two-step continuing resolution to the Senate and marking the first major hurdle Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) has cleared since winning the gavel. The chamber approved the short-term funding measure in a 336-95 vote, days before Friday night’s shutdown deadline. Two Democrats — Reps. Jake Auchincloss (Massachusetts) and Mike Quigley (Illinois) — and 93 Republicans opposed the bill. The bifurcated bill would extend funding at current levels for some agencies and programs until January 19th and all others through February 2nd. It would also extend the authorization of programs and authorities in the farm bill until September 30th. The legislation will extend funding at current levels until January 19th for programs and agencies under four appropriations bills: Military Construction and Veterans Affairs; Agriculture, Rural Development and Food and Drug Administration; Energy and Water Development; and Transportation, Housing and Urban Development. Funding for the remaining eight would be extended at current levels through February 2nd. The legislation now heads to the Senate, where it has support from both party leaders. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-New York) on Tuesday said he will try to pass the continuing resolution quickly, highlighting the bipartisan desire to avert a shutdown ahead of next week’s Thanksgiving holiday.
For today, the Senate convened at 10:00 A.M. and is expected to vote on the passage of a joint resolution providing congressional disapproval for a DOE rule relating to the Federal Direct Loan Program (S.J.Res.43). The chamber may also hold discussions on the Further Continuing Appropriations and Other Extensions Act, 2024.
The House convened at 9:00 A.M. and is expected to spend today working on H.R. 5894 – Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024 and H.R. 5893 – Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024.
