Congressional Leaders Reach Accord to Avert Gov’t Shutdown

But hurdles remain as disgruntled House conservatives balk

Looks like House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has a different definition of never. Recall he has consistently said he would never support another short-term continuing resolution (CR) but instead a year-long stopgap spending measure, something most lawmakers from both political parties do not support because it would force big spending cuts, even for defense.

     Instead, congressional leaders want to vote this coming week on a stopgap funding bill that would provide spending authority extensions. Details: One part of the government's funding would be extended until March 1 (including funding for USDA), while the remaining portion would receive an extension until March 8. The agreement comes just before the first funding deadline of Jan. 19. The second government funding deadline was Feb. 2.

     This plan at least aligns with Speaker Mike Johnson's (R-La.) strategy of "laddered" gov’t funding.

     The deal — which still needs to be approved by both chambers next week — will give the House and Senate more time to complete work on the 12 appropriations bills.

     Johnson is expected to hold a conference call with fellow GOP House members on Sunday to discuss the spending negotiations. Many conservatives are not on board with the deal.

     Background. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Johnson announced last weekend that they had reached an agreement on topline spending numbers, the first step in the process to fund the federal government. Those numbers include $1.59 trillion for fiscal year (FY) 2024, with $886 billion for defense spending and $704 billion in non-defense spending. Schumer and Johnson also agreed to a $69 billion side deal in adjustments that will go toward non-defense domestic spending.

     Hurdles: Conservative Republicans are openly criticizing the latest proposal, with at least one GOP rebel, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green (R-Ga.), threatening she will file a motion to vacate against Speaker Johnson. Key Democrats have informed Johnson that they would protect him… at a price. “We took weeks off last fall to elect a new speaker. I mean, there’s no way to spin a partial government shutdown as anything other than Republicans in the House of Representatives can’t govern,” said Rep. Kelly Armstrong (R-N.D.).