House Republicans plan to extend spending deadline to March 2025

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) is set to present a government spending plan that would extend funding until March 2025. This proposal includes a five-month continuing resolution maintaining the fiscal 2024 funding levels previously agreed upon by former Speaker Kevin McCarthy and President Biden. However, it excludes certain negotiated side deals, which may lead to opposition from Democrats in both chambers of Congress. The plan also incorporates the SAVE Act, requiring proof of citizenship for voter registration, a move likely to further alienate Democratic support. The urgency for a spending deal arises as government funding is set to expire on October 1, leaving lawmakers with limited time to negotiate. Johnson faces pressure from hard-line members of the House GOP, who demand the inclusion of the SAVE Act in any final agreement. Some members, including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), have indicated a willingness to risk a government shutdown to secure their policy priorities, claiming that election integrity is paramount. Democrats, led by House Appropriations Committee ranking member Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), criticize the Republican approach as partisan and detrimental to the funding process. DeLauro argues that bipartisan support is essential for passing any funding measures and warns that the current strategy could lead to a government shutdown, echoing concerns from the previous year. As lawmakers return from a six-week recess, the path forward remains uncertain. The potential for a standoff between the parties looms, with the Republican leadership's strategy facing significant challenges in garnering the necessary bipartisan support to avoid a funding crisis.