WASHINGTON – The Senate could vote as early as tonight on Republicans’ bill to prevent a government shutdown after it was approved in the Senate on Tuesday Low camera.
The Senate, where Democrats hold a narrow majority, has signaled its willingness to adopt Johnson’s package ahead of Friday’s government funding deadline.
Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell called the House package “a solution” and said he expects its passage in Congress with bipartisan support.
“It’s good to see us working together to prevent a government shutdown,” he said.
But McConnell, a Republican, has indicated that Congress still needs to work on President Joe Biden’s request to provide U.S. military aid to Ukraine and Israel, as well as other needs.
The U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution on Tuesday to avoid a government shutdown after its new speaker, Republican Mike Johnson, was forced to reach out to Democrats as the most recalcitrant conservatives rebelled against his plan.
The bipartisan 336-95 vote showed Johnson’s willingness to leave far-right Republicans behind and work with Democrats to temporarily keep the government open, the same political maneuver that cost Kevin McCarthy the House speakership just weeks ago .
The US is on the verge of a government shutdown and the implications are worrying. To see more from Telemundo, visit https://www.nbc.com/networks/telemundo
This time Johnson appeared to be heading for a better result after the House of Representatives approved the transition package to keep the government open until next year.
Now the Senate must act before Friday’s deadline.
“It is a matter of conscience for all of us to ensure that the government continues to function. “We owe it to the American people,” Johnson said at a news conference at the Capitol on Tuesday.
But the new Republican leader faced the same political problem that led to McCarthy’s downfall: angry and frustrated, recalcitrant GOP lawmakers who rejected his approach, demanded budget cuts and were determined to vote against the plan.
Without sufficient support from his Republican majority, Johnson had no choice but to rely on Democrats to secure passage and keep the federal government running.
Shortly before Tuesday’s vote, House Democratic leaders issued a joint statement saying the package met all of their requirements and that they would support it.
Johnson’s proposal calls for a unique process — though some call it strange — in two parts, temporarily funding some federal agencies through Jan. 19 and others through Feb. 2.
Johnson says this innovative approach would allow Republican officials to get “into the fight” for major spending cuts in the new year, but many Republicans are skeptical there will be better results in January.
The Freedom Caucus announced its opposition, guaranteeing dozens of votes against the plan.
Johnson was left with no choice but to forego the normally party-only procedural vote and resort to another procedure that requires the support of two-thirds of Democrats for approval.