The Republican-controlled US House of Representatives set up a Tuesday vote on legislation that would keep the government funded and avert a partial shutdown.
This was as Washington is rocked by President Donald Trump’s rapid moves to slash federal agencies.
The House Rules Committee reportedly advanced the bill on Monday evening to the full chamber, clearing the way for what would likely be a close vote on Tuesday to extend government funding past midnight Friday, when it is due to expire.
It was gathered that the package also would have to pass the Senate before Trump can sign it into law.
Meanwhile, House Democratic leadership urged its rank-and-file to oppose the measure.
Trump was contacting some fence-sitting Republican lawmakers to garner their support in a sign that House Speaker Mike Johnson may not have nailed down enough votes for passage as of Monday.
Hardline members of the fractious 218-214 House Republican majority, who over the past year repeatedly bucked Speaker Johnson’s plans have signaled support for the bill, which would keep the government funded at its current levels through September 30, when the current fiscal year ends.
Supporters argued that the House must advance it to move on to Trump’s agenda of sweeping tax cuts and stepped-up spending on immigration enforcement and the military.
If all House Democrats oppose the bill, Johnson will have to make sure all Republicans fall in line behind the legislation to ensure its passage.
“It is not something we could ever support,” House Democratic Leader, Hakeem Jeffries said.
