Late on Friday, just hours before a government shutdown loomed, the House of Representatives approved a major funding bill, sending it to the Senate for review. The vote wrapped up a tense and fast-paced week in Washington, D.C., as lawmakers scrambled to find a solution to keep the government running.
The House passed the bill with overwhelming support—366 votes in favor, 34 against, and one present vote. The measure required a two-thirds majority since it was brought to the floor through a fast-track process. Nearly all Democrats supported the bill, with the exception of Representative Jasmine Crockett from Texas, who chose to vote “present.” Meanwhile, 170 Republicans joined in approving the legislation.
The Senate is now expected to act quickly, with Minority Whip John Thune from South Dakota indicating that the upper chamber could move on the resolution the same night. Lawmakers faced a tight midnight deadline to avoid a shutdown.
After the vote, Speaker Mike Johnson from Louisiana praised the bill, calling it an “America First” plan. He emphasized that the legislation sets the stage for future changes, predicting a Republican-controlled Congress and White House with Donald Trump at the helm in January.
The package aims to fund the government at current levels through March 14. It also includes a one-year extension of the farm bill and allocates billions in disaster relief for farmers and communities hit by recent hurricanes. Notably, the legislation excludes a provision to raise the debt limit, which had been a late demand from President-elect Trump.
Instead, Republicans agreed to tackle the debt ceiling through a future deal that would raise the borrowing limit by $1.5 trillion in exchange for $2.5 trillion in spending cuts. This agreement is expected to be carried out in the next Congress.
The approval came after a whirlwind few days on Capitol Hill, marked by heated debates and shifting proposals. Republicans introduced four different versions of the spending plan during the week, each met with varying levels of resistance. Tensions were high, with some GOP members openly criticizing Johnson’s leadership during the process.
Representative Thomas Massie from Kentucky, for instance, voiced frustration, saying, “We’re legislating by Braille here.” He hinted at deeper issues within the party, citing disagreements over surveillance programs, aid to Ukraine, and other policies.
The final package includes critical funding for disaster relief, addressing the aftermath of hurricanes Helene and Milton. Around $29 billion will go to FEMA’s disaster relief fund, which has been running low. An additional $2 billion is earmarked for the Small Business Administration’s disaster loans program, with funds also set aside for oversight to ensure accountability. Farmers, too, will benefit, with $20 billion allocated for disaster aid and another $10 billion for economic assistance.
However, not everyone is satisfied with the bill. Some Democrats criticized the pared-down version, arguing it left out essential provisions like reforms to lower drug prices and funding for community health centers. Representative Pramila Jayapal from Washington expressed disappointment, saying, “They want to take out things like cancer care for children.”
On the Republican side, there were complaints about compromises made during negotiations. Some lawmakers pointed fingers at Trump allies, including Elon Musk, accusing them of spreading misinformation about earlier versions of the package.
Despite the debates and last-minute adjustments, Speaker Johnson assured that the bill addresses immediate needs, such as disaster aid and ensuring federal workers are paid over the holidays. “We will not have a government shutdown,” he said confidently.
Now, all eyes turn to the Senate, where lawmakers must act swiftly to finalize the deal and prevent a lapse in government operations. While this funding package averts a crisis for now, it signals the beginning of what promises to be a turbulent year in Washington.
