The Senate’s latest agreement to end the current partial government shutdown has cleared a critical obstacle, readying the legislation for a House vote. On Monday night, the House Rules Committee, typically a source of contention, moved the Senate’s compromise forward with minimal conflict among Republicans. This move sets the stage for a vote on Tuesday, but challenges loom ahead.
A “rule vote” in the House will determine if debate can proceed on the measure. With House votes often falling along party lines, Speaker Mike Johnson will need near-unanimity from his Republican colleagues to advance the bill. The partial government shutdown is now in its third day, impacting approximately 78% of federal operations due to Congress’s failure to deliver key spending bills to the President by the January 30 deadline.
House members did reach a bipartisan understanding on initial funding, ensuring government operations through the end of fiscal year 2026. However, objections arose among Democrats, primarily in response to President Trump’s immigration policies. The situation intensified after federal law enforcement’s involvement in a fatal incident during protests in Minneapolis led Senate Democrats to withdraw their support.
Despite this setback, House conservatives displayed skepticism toward the Senate’s agreement, labeling it a “non-starter.” In return, Democrats demanded additional measures, including judicial warrants to regulate federal agents’ actions in Minneapolis more strictly. The compromise reached would sustain funding for multiple government sectors while temporarily extending the Department of Homeland Security’s budget for two weeks. This pause aims to facilitate further bipartisan discussions toward a longer-term agreement.
This discord within the Democratic Party highlights significant divisions, especially between House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. While Schumer has engaged in negotiations with the White House, Jeffries cautioned Johnson against expecting House Democrats’ backing, thrusting Republican lawmakers into the spotlight.
On the Republican front, Trump has played a key role in managing internal dissent. Earlier on Monday, the President expressed a strong stance against changes to the proposed deal, causing some conservatives to reconsider their opposition. Specifically, a group led by Rep. Anna Paulina Luna had threatened to vote against the party’s stance unless their demand for enhanced voter registration measures was included. However, after receiving assurances from the White House, Luna and another representative reversed course, preparing to support the legislation.
The stakes are substantial. If the shutdown persists, nearly 14,000 air traffic controllers will continue working without pay, and members of the military may miss crucial paychecks. Additionally, the CDC will face restrictions in disseminating public health information to the public.
As the countdown to the House vote progresses, the outcome remains uncertain, hinging on Speaker Johnson’s ability to unite the Republican caucus while navigating the complex bipartisan landscape.
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