United States House Republicans have introduced a spending bill to keep the government funded through September 30, aiming to prevent a shutdown before Friday’s deadline.
The bill includes an increase in defense spending to $892.5 billion while reducing nondefense funding to $708 billion—$13 billion less than last year. This approach is unlikely to win Democratic support, as they have consistently demanded equal funding growth for both defense and domestic programs.
Republicans argue that if Democrats block the bill, they will be responsible for a shutdown—just months after they blamed the Republican party for the same issue in December.
Despite lacking bipartisan backing, Speaker Mike Johnson is moving forward with a Tuesday vote, effectively challenging Democrats to either pass the bill or risk a government shutdown when funding expires on Friday at midnight. Typically, bipartisan cooperation is required to pass spending bills, but House Republicans are betting on their slim majority to push it through.
President Donald Trump has thrown his support behind the bill, urging Republicans to stay united. Posting on his Truth Social platform, Trump said, “Remain united – no dissent – fight for another day when the timing is right.”
Democratic leaders, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Appropriations Chair Patty Murray, have blasted the bill, arguing it gives the Trump administration too much control over federal spending. Murray warned it would let Trump and Elon Musk, head of the Department of Government Efficiency, dictate budget priorities, potentially hurting both blue and red states, reported Associated Press.
Democrats also oppose the bill’s lack of funding for Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, which remain on autopilot but are at risk of cuts in future budget negotiations. They argue that excluding them from the current bill signals Republican plans to reduce benefits later.
The House vote is set for Tuesday, with Republicans needing near-total unity to pass the bill without Democratic support. Even if it clears the House, it faces a tough road in the Senate, where at least seven Democratic votes would be required to overcome a filibuster.