US House passes spending bill in race to avert government shutdown
- Proposed stop-gap bill is meant to keep the US government open as its funding runs out
- It was seen as the first major test of Republican Mike Johnson’s leadership as new House Speaker
The US House of Representatives passed a temporary spending bill that would avert a government shutdown, as wide swathes of lawmakers from both parties showed support for the legislation.
The legislation, which would extend government funding through mid-January, now heads to the Senate, where Democratic and Republican leaders have voiced support.
To prevent a shutdown, the Senate and Republican-controlled House must enact legislation that US President Joe Biden can sign into law before current funding for federal agencies expires at midnight on Friday.
Tuesday’s 336-95 vote was a victory for House Speaker Mike Johnson, who faced down opposition from some of his fellow Republicans, in the first consequential vote of his tenure.
Johnson was elected to the post less than three weeks ago, following weeks of tumult that left the chamber without a leader. With a slim 221-213 majority, he can afford to lose no more than three Republican votes on legislation that Democrats oppose.