The House of Representatives approved a bill temporary financing to avoid a partial government shutdown United States on Saturday and sent the bill to the Senate for a vote this Thursday night.
The bill would extend funding for some departments through March 8 and others through March 22, while lawmakers resolve differences over delayed spending packages for the entire fiscal year that began Oct. 1.
The House vote was 320 to 99, with 97 Republicans voting against the interim solution.
House Republican leaders agreed to the fourth stopgap funding measure of the fiscal year after reaching a deal to fund parts of the government through Sept. 30.
The longer-term deal covers government departments that account for about 27 percent of federal agency spending, and Republicans have been told to expect few wins when details of the deal are released this weekend.
“This is the House GOP conference to accept reality,” said Rep. Patrick McHenry, noting that the Republican Party does not control the Senate or the White House. “In this environment, singles and doubles are wins.”
The deal does not include any aid to Ukraine, which House Republicans are delaying as they demand a series of new restrictions on U.S. border and immigration policies. House Speaker Mike Johnson said he does not expect the House to act on aid to Ukraine for at least another three weeks.
The interim funding measure also strengthens eligibility for Pell Grants for students.
Legislators express discontent with the agreement
Leaving a morning Republican meeting, several weary conservatives expressed displeasure with the deal but signaled they would let the president keep his job, for now.
Pennsylvania Republican Scott Perry, a member of the ultraconservative Freedom Caucus, said he didn’t see any “victory” for his party in the spending talks, but said the president won’t lose his job because of it.
South Carolina Republican Ralph Norman, a staunch opponent of the spending deal, said there is no effort underway to unseat Johnson. Texas Republican Chip Roy, another hardliner, dodged the question.
“This is the swamp doing what the swamp does,” he said.
Only three Republican dissidents needed to remove president if all lawmakers are present and voting, unless Johnson gains support from Democrats, either by voting for him or by abstaining in a vote on the president.
