WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a significant turn of events, the Republican-controlled House of Representatives narrowly passed a six-month funding bill on Tuesday, preventing a potential government shutdown just days before the deadline.
The bill passed with a vote of 217-213 and is now headed to the Senate, where its fate remains uncertain. Supported by President Donald Trump, the legislation includes a modest increase of $6 billion in defense spending while cutting $13 billion from non-defense discretionary funding.
These changes have sparked intense debate, with Democrats criticizing the bill for its perceived lack of protections for social programs and the broad discretion it grants to the Trump administration.
Republican unity and Democratic opposition
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) hailed the bill’s passage as a victory for Republican unity.
“This was a big vote on the House floor,” Johnson said after the vote. “The Republicans stood together, and we had one Democrat vote with us to do the right thing, and that is to fund the government.”
The lone Democrat to support the bill, Rep. Jared Golden of Maine, broke ranks with his party, while Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) was the only Republican to oppose it, citing concerns about the deficit. Massie’s opposition drew public criticism from Trump, who called for him to be primaried in the next election.
Democrats, however, have voiced strong opposition to the bill. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) described it as “a partisan and reckless Republican spending bill” that fails to protect critical programs like Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.
“This represents devastating cuts in an attack on seniors, families, and veterans,” Jeffries said.
Senate showdown
The bill now faces a crucial vote in the Senate, where Republicans hold a 53-47 majority. With Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky.) already opposing the bill, at least eight Democratic votes will be necessary to overcome a filibuster and send the legislation to President Trump’s desk.
Senate Democrats are divided in their approaches to this issue. Some, like Senator John Fetterman (D-Pa.), have signaled their potential support for the bill to avoid a government shutdown, while others remain firmly opposed.
“The last thing in the world I want to do is give Elon Musk more power than he already has,” said Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), referencing Musk’s role in the Department of Government Efficiency, which has been criticized for its sweeping budget cuts.
Implications and next steps
If approved, the bill would fund the government until Sept. 30, 2025, providing temporary relief while leaving key debates over long-term spending priorities unresolved.
Critics argue that the bill allows the Trump administration excessive leeway in reallocating funds, which could divert resources from essential programs to controversial initiatives.
As the Senate prepares to vote, the nation is watching closely, aware that the outcome will have significant implications for government operations and public services. The deadline is approaching, with current funding set to expire at midnight on Friday.
