House Republicans are pushing a new plan to avert a government shutdown. The proposal includes approximately $30 million to bolster security for lawmakers following the recent assassination of Charlie Kirk during a speaking event in Utah. This measure extends current government funding levels, termed a continuing resolution (CR), allowing more time for negotiations in both the House and Senate. If passed, this CR will last until November 21.
Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., aims to hold a House-wide vote on this plan Friday, which will then move to the Senate. The timeline is critical; President Donald Trump needs to sign the measure into law by October 1, the start of fiscal year 2026, to prevent a government shutdown.
House Administration Committee Chair Bryan Steil, R-Wis., provided a briefing on the security funding increase during a closed-door meeting. According to sources, Steil proposed placing $30 million into a mutual aid fund. This fund would support a collaboration between Capitol Police and local law enforcement to enhance security in lawmakers’ districts. “The proposed $30 million plus-up would be into the mutual aid bucket,” Steil explained to reporters after the meeting. “The mutual aid bucket is a program where U.S. Capitol Police reimburses local law enforcement to provide security, traditionally, in a member’s district.”
The legislation also responds to a request from the Trump administration for an additional $58 million in security funding for the judicial and executive branches. Additionally, Washington, D.C., will receive $1 billion as part of its annual budget from the federal government.
Rep. Scott Fitzgerald, R-Wis., spoke about the increased funding, indicating that it may open the door for further discussions on long-term security enhancements, particularly concerning ongoing fiscal 2026 appropriations. “What you’re trying to do, put in perspective, is if you had 24/7 for every member, all 435, it’s billions of dollars,” Fitzgerald noted, emphasizing the need for a sensible approach to security. He referenced the recent spike in violence with the killings of both a Minnesota state lawmaker and Kirk. “It’s become something that we’ve already been, since Minnesota, focused on. And now with Charlie Kirk, it’s just gone off the charts trying to figure out what you can do.”
Despite the urgency for heightened security measures, House and Senate Democrats express frustration about being sidelined from the government funding discussions. This discontent leads to threats of opposition against the CR from Democratic leadership. The narrow majority that House Republicans hold—just two seats—raises the stakes for Johnson, leaving little room for dissent within his party.
During a Tuesday morning meeting, Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., raised concerns regarding the adequacy of current Capitol security. Burchett, who is undecided on the new bill, acknowledged that “I’ve got some real problems there,” noting that increasing funds “is not gonna help with that. That’s personnel. That’s leadership.” His sentiment aligns with similar concerns voiced by other Republicans including Reps. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., Victoria Spartz, R-Ind., Warren Davidson, R-Ohio, and Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., who have expressed hesitation in supporting the CR.
Johnson responded to the opposition, placing responsibility for a potential government shutdown on Democrats. “Unfortunately, there are some Democrats who are openly pining for a government shutdown in spite of this obvious and necessary step,” he said during a press conference. “Some of them apparently believe that shutting down the government will be some sort of life raft for them so they can regain the support of the American people. I just think that is a fool’s gambit.”
The tragedy of Kirk’s assassination has sparked renewed discussions regarding legislative security. Johnson stated, “The tragedy has also initiated a number of uncomfortable but necessary conversations about important issues, like the safety and security of our members and the responsibility of public servants, and the need for political leaders to turn down the temperature and the violent rhetoric in America.”
As lawmakers navigate this contentious moment, the proposed government funding measure reflects an urgent desire to enhance security while also treading carefully amid rising tensions both within and outside Congress. With a vote looming, all eyes will be on how both sides respond to this pressing issue.
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