House Approves Stopgap Funding Bill, Senate Action Next

This week, the House of Representatives voted 220-205 to approve a continuing resolution (CR) that would keep the federal government funded at current levels through Dec. 4, avoiding a potential shutdown when existing funding expires at the end of September. Six Democrats joined Republicans in supporting the measure.

Despite speculation that House conservatives might delay the bill as leverage to advance the SAVE America Act – a separate election measure that would require proof of citizenship for voter registration and photo identification to cast a ballot – the funding legislation moved forward without becoming entangled in that debate.

Democratic leaders opposed the measure, arguing it does not include provisions to limit funding for the Trump administration's ongoing immigration enforcement efforts.

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) criticized Democrats for opposing what Republicans characterized as a straightforward funding extension.

"They do this to try to score political points," Johnson remarked. "I think they're making the wrong calculation here."

The legislation now moves to the Senate, where it will require bipartisan support to clear the 60-vote threshold needed for passage. Senate lawmakers are expected to negotiate changes before any final agreement can be sent to the Oval Office.

This article was provided to OSAP by ASAE's Power of Associations and Inroads.