House Rules Committee Rejects Short-Term Spending Bill Amid GOP Opposition

On Monday, the House Rules Committee decided against voting on a short-term spending bill aimed at preventing a government shutdown. This decision came after several Republicans voiced their opposition, leading to a situation where House Speaker Mike Johnson may need Democratic support to pass the bill. Johnson's proposal was a three-month continuing resolution intended to fund the government until December 20. However, dissenting voices within the GOP, such as Rep. Thomas Massie, criticized the timing and strategy behind the bill, suggesting it was designed to create a funding crisis before Christmas to pressure lawmakers into a hasty vote. Without a rule from the Rules Committee, the House GOP leadership plans to bring the spending bill to the floor using a suspension of the rules, which requires a two-thirds majority for passage. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise indicated that the vote on the continuing resolution is scheduled for Wednesday. Given the slim Republican majority in the House, it is likely that some Democratic votes will be necessary for the bill to succeed. Johnson's Plan B was introduced after his initial proposal, which combined a six-month continuing resolution with a voter ID requirement, was rejected. He acknowledged that while the current plan may not be ideal, it is the most sensible option considering the political landscape. The urgency of the situation is heightened by the upcoming election, with Johnson emphasizing that a government shutdown so close to the election would be politically detrimental. The unfolding events reflect the complexities and divisions within the GOP as they navigate government funding amidst internal disagreements.