Federal Government Funding Expires This Friday

President Trump announced his preference for a "clean" continuing resolution ("CR") through the end of FY 2025. Speaker Johnson (R-LA) released the text on Saturday. The measure would fund the government through September 30 (the end of its fiscal year), increase defense and border security spending by $6 billion, and reduce non-defense spending by $13 billion, including the elimination of funding for several programs supported by Democratic and some Republican earmarks.

Speaker Johnson stated last week that Republicans intend to pass the CR in the House without Democratic support. The party can only afford to lose one of its members, and Rep. Massie (R-MY) has already indicated that he will vote against it. House Democratic leadership opposes the measure, but it is possible that a few members of that caucus may vote in favor. If the House cannot pass the CR, the Speaker will need to negotiate a compromise solution with Democrats.

House leadership brought the measure to the floor for a vote on Tuesday. If it passes, the Speaker will cancel votes for the rest of the week and send members of Congress home. This would put pressure on Senate Democrats to pass it as received since there would be no way for the House to consider an amended version before a shutdown begins. Passage of the CR in the Senate will require the support of at least seven Democrats, and likely eight since Sen. Paul (R-KY) is expected to vote against it (passage in the Senate effectively requires 60 votes). It is not yet clear whether the measure will garner the requisite number of votes.