In a surprising twist, Congress narrowly avoided a government shutdown by passing a stopgap plan to fund the federal government until mid-November. The House, with a coalition of Democrats and Republicans, approved the plan, which will keep money flowing to government agencies and provide funds for disaster recovery efforts. However, the bill did not include funding for Ukraine, despite support from the White House and members of both parties in the Senate. Despite initial complaints, House Democrats ultimately embraced the plan to prevent a widespread government disruption.
The passage of the bill was a significant win for Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who had been resistant to working with Democrats on a spending solution. McCarthy outlined the proposal for Republicans in a closed-door meeting and pushed for its passage with substantial Democratic support. Ultimately, scores of his own Republican colleagues voted against the bill, leading to its approval with 335 votes in favor and 91 votes against. This outcome could pose challenges for McCarthy’s speakership, as far-right factions have threatened to remove him if he cooperates with Democrats to keep the government open.
While the bill successfully avoided a government shutdown, it only serves as a temporary solution to the ongoing spending fight. Both the House and the Senate are grappling with approving yearlong spending bills, and the gulf between the two parties remains wide. House Republicans are pressing for deep spending cuts, the cessation of aid to Ukraine, and immigration restrictions. On the other hand, Senators, from both parties, support higher funding levels and continued assistance to Ukraine. The passage of this stopgap bill raises hope for further negotiations, but prolonged disagreements are expected to continue.