Republican loss of Congress sealed as Democrats step in to save Mike Johnsons speakership amid right-wing revolt

Table Of Content

• Congressional Leaders Unveil $1.7 Trillion Spending Bill to Avoid Government Shutdown
• Trump likens Columbia protests to Jan. 6, part of effort to downplay Capitol attack
• House passes short-term funding plan to avert government shutdown
• Republican loss of Congress sealed as Democrats step in to save Mike Johnson’s speakership amid right-wing revolt
• Biden requests large boost in domestic spending for the next budget year

House Speaker Mike Johnson unveiled his proposal on Saturday to avoid a partial government shutdown by extending government funding for some agencies and programs until Jan. 19, and continuing funding for others until Feb. 2. Johnson, Schumer and other congressional leaders and committee heads visited the White House on Wednesday to discuss that spending legislation. Johnson used the meeting to push for stronger border security measures while Biden and Democrats detailed Ukraine’s security needs as it continues to fight Russia. House Republicans have fought bitterly over budget levels and policy since taking the majority at the start of 2023. Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., was ousted by his caucus in October after striking an agreement with Democrats to extend current spending the first time.

Congressional Leaders Unveil $1.7 Trillion Spending Bill to Avoid Government Shutdown

Congress approved a government spending bill late Thursday, averting a potential government shutdown with about 24 hours to spare after the latest example of the partisan standoffs crippling Washington’s most basic functions. Just two days into the workweek, the House hit a crisis Wednesday when hard-right Republicans forced the chamber to a standstill. They voted against a routine procedural rules package as a way to demand the speaker's attention. Johnson, overseeing a narrow House majority, has therefore had to rely on Democrats to pass the continuing resolutions that have funded the government in recent months, a dynamic that continued in Thursday's vote.

Trump likens Columbia protests to Jan. 6, part of effort to downplay Capitol attack

All of the Democrats in the House voted for the bill, and the tactic succeeded in preventing a government shutdown. But it cost McCarthy the speakership, after Rep. Matt Gaetz introduced a vote of no confidence against him. The plan puts Republicans "in the best position to fight for fiscal responsibility, oversight over Ukraine aid and meaningful policy changes at our southern border," Johnson said.

House passes short-term funding plan to avert government shutdown

House speaker's plan to avoid shutdown meets resistance from both parties - Reuters

House speaker's plan to avoid shutdown meets resistance from both parties.

Posted: Sat, 11 Nov 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

While Greene pushes to oust Johnson, many Republicans tell ABC News that they are not on board with her effort. Greene's effort comes in an election year, when many Republicans do not seem interested in engaging in another speakership battle that could project uncertainty in their conference. The removal of McCarthy in October left the House adrift for nearly a month, unable to take up legislation as Republicans struggled to select a replacement.

Congress unveils $1.2-trillion plan to avert federal shutdown

The House was left without a speaker for three weeks and found itself effectively paralyzed. On Tuesday morning, the House Freedom Caucus, a group of far-right Republican lawmakers, announced its opposition to the stopgap measure because it failed to include spending cuts or provisions to strengthen border security. "We also are better positioned in the upcoming supplemental debate to demand Border Security, ensure oversight of Ukraine aid, and support our cherished ally, Israel." The plan, which Johnson unveiled Saturday, extends federal funding at current levels for one group of agencies and programs through Jan. 19, and a second batch through Feb. 2. Johnson argued the extension will allow lawmakers to avoid a massive end-of-year spending bill while negotiations over spending levels continue.

Republican loss of Congress sealed as Democrats step in to save Mike Johnson’s speakership amid right-wing revolt

Supporters of a staggered short-term bill, known as a continuing resolution (CR), argue it puts targeted pressure on lawmakers to achieve their goals at an incremental rate. The Senate was set to hold a procedural vote Monday night on a legislative vehicle for its short-term funding extension, but delayed the vote. Last week, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York called the "laddered" approach a "nonstarter." But the bill's exclusion of spending cuts and amendments make it more appealing to Democrats. Like McCarthy, Johnson will have to rely on Democrats to pass the stopgap measure, but there has so far been no sign that Republicans would rush to oust Johnson in the same way McCarthy was removed, since he's had so little time as speaker. It is not known whether enough House Republicans will back Johnson's two-step plan while they negotiate long-term spending plans. Jeffries said Democrats were concerned about the bifurcated deadlines in Johnson's plan, but said it's "extremely important" to avoid a funding lapse.

She said 275,000 children would lose access to Head Start, making it harder for parents to work. His package would not have cut the Defense, Veterans or Homeland Security departments but would have slashed almost all other agencies by up to 30% — steep hits to a vast array of programs, services and departments Americans routinely depend on. “Extreme House Republicans are now tripling down on their demands to eviscerate programs millions of hardworking families count on,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said. The bill's unveiling was delayed by haggling over language related to location of the FBI's future headquarters.

Congress strikes deal to avert a partial government shutdown — for now - NBC News

Congress strikes deal to avert a partial government shutdown — for now.

Posted: Wed, 28 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

To do so, Republicans are expected to bring the bill under a suspension of the rules, meaning a sizable number of Democrats will be needed to pass it. This gives lawmakers a path to consider the spending bill very quickly in the Senate, possibly avoiding a shutdown (or at least shortening it), as long as the bill passes the House and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer brings it to the Senate floor. He told CNN on Saturday that he will not slow down the Senate's consideration of the House GOP's 45-day spending bill — which, crucially, does not include Ukraine funding — if it passes the House and the Senate takes it up. House appropriators are circulating a memo raising issues with the short-term funding bill that Speaker Kevin McCarthy is planning to bring to the floor, per a copy obtained by CNN. After meeting privately in his office in the Capitol with Republicans irate about the spending agreement, Mr. Johnson said he was discussing their demand to walk away from the bipartisan agreement but had “made no commitments” to do so.

House Democratic leaders announce they would save Johnson if threat to oust comes to floor

The annual State of the City address often doubles as a splashy launching pad for the public season, with the mayor previewing priorities and new programs a few days before their proposed budget is released. Housing programs would also get a major boost, including $30 billion for vouchers aimed at sheltering people who are homeless or fleeing domestic violence. The request also includes a $500-million increase in a program that builds and rehabilitates affordable housing, bringing the total to $1.9 billion, the largest amount since 2009. Title I money is a major source of funding for urban school systems as well as many low-income rural ones.

That number includes a 22% increase for VA medical care to help pay for an expansion of health care services and benefits to veterans exposed to toxic burn pits during their service. Some environmental advocacy groups expressed frustration with the funding increases for agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Park Service, which they said don't keep up with inflation. He framed the longer-term spending bill as a victory for the GOP, even as many will undoubtedly vote against it.

The spending agreement will keep funding at previously set levels through Feb. 18. Democrats wanted a shorter extension because they don’t want to live longer than necessary under levels negotiated with former President Trump. “I am glad that in the end, cooler heads prevailed; the government will stay open,” Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) said as the votes got underway Thursday night. When asked whether he has faith in Johnson's leadership, Rep. Chip Roy, a Texas Republican who has been outspoken throughout the spending fight, said "this is not the call I would have made."