WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans introduced a new spending bill on Saturday aimed at funding federal agencies through September 30, setting the stage for a high-stakes showdown with Democrats over government spending priorities.
The 99-page proposal seeks a modest increase in defense funding while reducing nondefense spending below fiscal year 2024 levels, a move likely to face strong Democratic opposition. Democrats have long insisted on parity between defense and nondefense budget adjustments. With a looming government shutdown deadline at midnight on Friday, the GOP is pressing forward with a vote scheduled for Tuesday, daring Democrats to reject the measure and risk a shutdown.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., is pursuing a partisan approach, banking on Republican support to push the bill through without Democratic backing. Historically, Republicans have had to negotiate bipartisan agreements to pass funding bills, as they often lack sufficient votes to pass them independently.
Crucially, the bill has the endorsement of former President Donald Trump, who has urged Republicans to remain unified. Trump took to his Truth Social platform, calling for “NO DISSENT” and asking lawmakers to back the measure to “get us through to September so we can continue to put the country’s financial house in order.”
The proposal allocates approximately $892.5 billion for defense and about $708 billion for nondefense programs, with nondefense funding cut by roughly $13 billion from the previous year. Additionally, the bill omits funding for earmarked community projects while increasing pay for junior enlisted servicemembers and adding $500 million for a nutritional assistance program for women, infants, and young children.
However, the measure does not cover major mandatory spending programs like Social Security and Medicare, which operate independently of annual congressional budget negotiations.
Democratic leaders have sharply criticized the proposal. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, the top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, firmly opposed the bill, while Sen. Patty Murray warned that it would give “Donald Trump and Elon Musk more power over federal spending,” a reference to the Department of Government Efficiency, now led by Musk.
Sen. Susan Collins, the Republican chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, emphasized the need to prevent a shutdown, highlighting its negative consequences for government employees, including military personnel, TSA screeners, and air traffic controllers, who would be forced to work without immediate pay.
Trump’s influence has already swayed some conservative lawmakers typically opposed to continuing resolutions. Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., who has never supported such measures, expressed confidence in Trump and Musk’s leadership in tackling national debt. Similarly, Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, argued that freezing spending for six months while identifying further cuts represents a win for fiscal conservatives.
Republicans hope passing this bill will allow them to shift their focus toward extending Trump-era tax cuts and addressing the nation’s debt ceiling to prevent a federal default.
Meanwhile, Democratic leaders have warned that the GOP’s decision to move forward without bipartisan negotiations raises the likelihood of a shutdown. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., reiterated that a bipartisan solution remains the only viable path. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., echoed this sentiment, condemning the Republican proposal for its potential cuts to veterans’ benefits and nutritional assistance programs.
With Republicans holding a narrow 218-214 majority in the House, they can afford only one defection if Democrats unanimously oppose the bill. The Senate presents an even greater challenge, as at least seven Democrats would need to support the measure to overcome a filibuster, assuming all 53 Republicans vote in favor.
As the Friday deadline approaches, both parties remain at odds, with the prospect of a government shutdown hanging in the balance.
Source:https://apnews.com/
