House clears first hurdle for stopgap government funding measure.
The House Rules Committee Advances Stopgap Funding Measure
The House Rules Committee has cleared the first procedural hurdle for Republicans’ stopgap funding measure, despite uncertainty surrounding its ultimate fate within the GOP conference. The committee advanced the proposal along party lines, setting the stage for a vote on the full House floor later this week.
House Republicans Opposed to Stopgap Spending Measure
Here is a list of House Republicans who have pledged to vote against the stopgap spending measure:
- Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC) initially planned to vote against advancing the measure but reversed his position and voted to advance it.
- Other members who have publicly opposed the bill include Reps. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), Eli Crane (R-AZ), Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL), Dan Bishop (R-NC), Cory Mills (R-FL), Tony Gonzales (R-TX), Tim Burchett (R-TN), Matt Rosendale (R-MT), Andy Ogles (R-TN), Victoria Spartz (R-IN), and Wesley Hunt (R-TX).
Details of the Continuing Resolution Proposal
The proposed 31-day continuing resolution would maintain defense and veteran affairs funding at fiscal 2023 levels, while other domestic agencies would face an 8% cut. This would bring spending to $1.59 trillion, in line with the debt ceiling deal signed into law in June. However, conservatives are pushing for a cap of $1.471 trillion, the spending level in House Republicans’ initial debt ceiling bill.
The continuing resolution would also include border security provisions in the homeland security appropriations bill, according to the Washington Examiner. The Department of Defense and Military Construction and Veteran Affairs appropriations bills would be funded at current fiscal 2023 levels, while other areas would see an 8% reduction.
Challenges and Potential Vote
Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) plans to bring the bill up for a vote as early as Thursday. However, he faces opposition within his own conference, with at least 13 House Republicans publicly opposing the measure. McCarthy can only afford to lose four GOP votes if all Democrats oppose the legislation.
Previously, the House has only passed one of its 12 appropriations bills due to lack of support among hard-line conservatives. Some of the members who held up the defense bill are now opposing the continuing resolution proposal.
Despite intraparty opposition, McCarthy remains determined to move forward. He stated that the defense spending bill will be brought up for a vote this week, emphasizing that no member has expressed opposition to it.
Stay updated with the latest news from the Washington Examiner.
What concerns have Paulina Luna (R-TX) and Andy Biggs (R-AZ) expressed about the stopgap funding measure?
Paulina Luna (R-TX), and Andy Biggs (R-AZ).
These dissenting voices within the Republican party highlight the internal divisions over the stopgap funding measure. While some Republicans argue that the measure is necessary to avoid a government shutdown and provide temporary funding for vital programs, others argue that it does not go far enough in addressing conservative priorities, such as border security and defunding certain federal agencies. Another point of contention among conservatives is the length of the stopgap funding measure. The proposed measure would fund the government through December 7, allowing time for further budget negotiations. However, some Republicans believe that a longer-term funding solution should be pursued to provide stability and avoid the need for repeated stopgap measures. Furthermore, some conservatives are concerned about the potential inclusion of provisions in the measure that they view as unrelated to funding the government. They argue that these provisions should be debated and voted on separately, rather than being attached to a necessary spending bill. While Republicans grapple with internal divisions, Democrats are pushing for additional funding in the stopgap measure. One area of contention is funding for disaster relief in response to recent hurricanes and wildfires. Democrats argue that more funding is needed to support affected communities, but Republicans have expressed concerns about the potential impact on the deficit. Democrats are also advocating for additional funding for healthcare, education, and infrastructure projects. They argue that these investments are necessary to address pressing societal needs and spur economic growth. The stopgap funding measure faces an uncertain future in the GOP conference. The differing views and priorities within the party make it challenging to secure the necessary support for passage. Republican leaders will need to work diligently to address concerns and find common ground among their members. Additionally, both parties will need to engage in negotiations and compromise to reach a broader budget agreement. The stopgap funding measure, if passed, will only provide a temporary solution, and a longer-term funding solution is necessary to provide stability and adequately address the nation’s financial needs. In conclusion, the House Rules Committee’s advancement of the stopgap funding measure is a significant step in the budget process. However, the measure still faces obstacles within the Republican party, and negotiations among party members and across party lines will be crucial to secure passage and provide a more lasting funding solution. The months ahead will determine whether the government can find common ground and effectively address the nation’s budgetary needs.Concerns over Stopgap Funding Measure
Democrats Push for Additional Funding
The Way Forward
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