House Republicans Unveil Controversial Spending Bill, Setting Up Showdown with Democrats
In a bold and contentious move, House Republicans introduced a spending bill on Saturday that aims to keep federal agencies funded through September 30. The 99-page bill reflects a go-it-alone strategy that is almost certain to ignite a major confrontation with Democrats over government spending priorities. The legislation proposes a modest increase in defense spending while cutting nondefense programs below the levels approved for the 2024 budget year. This approach is likely to be a deal-breaker for most Democrats, who have consistently argued that defense and nondefense spending should rise or fall in tandem. With Congress facing a critical deadline—midnight on Friday—to prevent a partial government shutdown, the stakes have never been higher.
A Divisive Approach to Funding the Government
House Republicans are moving forward with the bill despite lacking Democratic support, essentially daring Democrats to oppose it and risk a shutdown. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has scheduled the bill for a vote on Tuesday, betting that Republicans can push the legislation through the House on their own strength. However, this strategy breaks with the usual bipartisanship required to pass spending bills, as Republicans rarely have enough votes to act unilaterally. The bill allocates approximately $892.5 billion for defense and $708 billion for nondefense programs, with nondefense spending slashed by about $13 billion compared to the previous year. Notably, the bill excludes funding for earmarks, which are individual projects requested by lawmakers for their districts. Instead, it prioritizes a significant pay increase for junior enlisted military members—the largest in over 40 years—and an additional $500 million for a nutrition program for women, infants, and young children.
Democratic Leaders Blast the Legislation asnon-Starter
Top Democrats in both the House and Senate have wasting no time in denouncing the bill, calling it a partisan power play that favors Republican priorities over bipartisan cooperation. Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), the ranking Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, expressed strong opposition, while Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), her counterpart in the Senate, warned that the bill would hand President Donald Trump and Elon Musk, head of the Department of Government Efficiency, too much control over federal spending. Murray argued that this could harm families across the country, regardless of their political leanings. Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Susan Collins (R-Maine) struck a more pragmatic tone, emphasizing the need to avoid a shutdown and its damaging consequences for essential government workers, including Border Patrol agents, military personnel, and air traffic controllers.
Trump’s Influence and Republican Unity
President Donald Trump has thrown his full weight behind the bill, urging Republicans to remain united and avoid dissent. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump framed the legislation as a necessary step to stabilize the country’s finances, asking for patience as his administration works to “put the Country’s ‘financial house’ in order.” His message appears to be resonating with even some conservative lawmakers who have traditionally opposed continuing resolutions (CRs), which extend funding at existing levels without major changes. Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) and Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas), both known for their skepticism of spending bills, have signaled their support for the measure, citing confidence in Trump and Musk’s efforts to reduce the national debt. For Republicans, passing this CR is not just about funding the government—it’s also about clearing the way to focus on other priorities, such as extending Trump’s signature tax cuts and raising the debt ceiling to prevent a federal default.
Democrats Warn of Shutdown Risks and Partisanship
Democratic leaders, meanwhile, are sounding the alarm about the potential for a shutdown and the dangers of pursuing a partisan spending strategy. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) reiterated the importance of bipartisan cooperation, while House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) criticized the bill for threatening key programs, including veterans’ benefits and nutritional assistance for low-income families. Jeffries vowed that Democrats would not accept cuts to these critical services, calling the Republican approach unacceptable. Despite their misgivings, Democrats have not yet committed to a course of action, with Schumer stating, “We have to wait to see what their plan is.” The calculus for Democrats is complicated, as they must balance their desire to protect key programs with the political risks of being blamed for a shutdown.
The Road Ahead: A High-Stakes Battle
The path forward for the spending bill is fraught with uncertainty. In the House, Republicans hold a narrow 218-214 majority, meaning they can only afford one defection if Democrats unite in opposition. The challenge becomes even greater in the Senate, where at least seven Democrats would need to support the bill to overcome a filibuster. To rally his party, Trump has been meeting with House Republicans to secure their votes, leveraging his influence to keep the caucus in line. For now, the fate of the bill—and the federal government’s funding—hangs in the balance. As the clock ticks closer to the shutdown deadline, one thing is clear: the outcome of this high-stakes battle will have far-reaching implications for the country’s finances, its workers, and the future of bipartisanship in Washington.
