House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) achieved his first major legislative victory Tuesday with a vote to avoid a government shutdown hours ahead of Friday’s deadline.
Speaker Johnson received support from hundreds of Democrats to pass his two-tiered continuing resolution (CR). The “laddered CR” funds some government functions until January, while others receive funding until February. Typical stopgap measures fund all government functions until a single deadline. Observers viewed Johnson’s approach as a way of appeasing members of his caucus who detest CRs.
It wasn’t entirely successful.
The conservative House Freedom Caucus announced their opposition to Johnson’s proposal Tuesday morning. In a position statement, the group stated that the laddered CR “contains no spending reductions, no border security, and not a single meaningful win for the American People.”
Johnson met with members of the Freedom Caucus in a bid to convert skeptics. While some were reportedly furious the bill would keep 2023 spending levels in place, they don’t plan to oust Johnson.
“While we remain committed to working with Speaker Johnson, we need bold change,” they added, implicitly saying he had a hall pass this time.
Johnson’s bill was opposed by 93 Republicans and two Democrats.
To avoid a government shutdown, the Senate must approve the bill before government funding runs out on Friday. President Biden indicated he would sign it.
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