Government Shutdown Narrowly Dodged As House Greenlights Funding Until March — But Did Speaker Mike Johnson Endanger His Job?

A federal government shutdown that was looming large has been averted at least for now, as the House passed late Thursday a continuing resolution, which is a temporary spending bill that allows federal government operations to continue when final appropriations have not been approved by Congress and the President.

What Happened: The House passed the stopgap bill that facilitates federal government funding through early March, and the CR was adopted by a margin of 314-109, with 106 Republicans and two Democrats opposing the bill,

The federal government was staring at the prospect of shutdown as early as Friday if the bill had not cleared the Congress. The CR extends the Jan. 19 and Feb. 2 funding deadlines to March 1 and March 8, 2024.

Earlier in the day, the Senate passed the bill by a 77-18-vote margin.

Following Senate’s clearance Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said on X, “It’s good news for every American, especially our veterans, parents and children, farmers and small businesses, all of whom would have felt the sting of a shutdown.”

BREAKING NEWS:The Senate has just passed the bill to fund the government and avoid an unnecessary shutdown.It’s good news for every American, especially our veterans, parents and children, farmers and small businesses, all of whom would have felt the sting of a shutdown.

— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) January 18, 2024

Both chambers go on a recess until Monday due to a snowstorm prediction that would have impeded the travel plans of lawmakers.

Conservatives Oppose: The hardliners in the Republican camp, especially those belonging to the House Freedom Caucus, did not back the bill. In a statement denouncing the bill, Rep. Scott Perry (R-Pa.) said the CR includes spending levels well above even those under a Democrat majority and does nothing to stop – or even address – the Biden administration’s failed border policies.

”In January, House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader Schumer reached a topline agreement of $1.59 trillion in spending, with an additional $69 billion in undisclosed “side deals” before any emergency spending – bringing FY 2024 federal spending to at least $1.68 trillion,” he said.

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What Next: The bill now goes to President Joe Biden for him to sign it into law.

After…