Punchbowl News has reported that House Republican leaders are actively working to secure the necessary support to pass Speaker Mike Johnson’s proposal for a six-month government funding bill.
Last week, realizing the bill wouldn’t garner enough Republican votes, Johnson withdrew it from consideration. The GOP leadership is now dedicating this week to exploring viable alternatives to the bill or, failing that, to proceed with a continuing resolution to ensure government funding, according to Punchbowl.
The outlet noted a clear division within the party, with some hardline conservatives stating their outright refusal to support any form of continuing resolution (CR), regardless of its duration. Meanwhile, a fraction of the party backs Johnson’s original proposal, while another segment is advocating for a revised timeline that aligns with the early sessions of the next Congress. This, they believe, would prevent the Republicans from being cornered into endorsing an omnibus bill laden with Democratic policies.
A group described by Punchbowl as “traditional” Republicans are open to considering a CR that would extend until mid-December, echoing the preference of House Democrats, the Senate, and the White House.
With an October 1 deadline looming to avoid a government shutdown, Congress is under pressure to enact legislation promptly. Should the House fail to progress, the Senate might advance its own CR to extend funding until mid-December, as Punchbowl outlined.
The narrative around Johnson’s effort to unify his party is set against the backdrop of visible solidarity among House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and President Joe Biden.
Punchbowl has also spotlighted discord within Johnson’s leadership team. Specifically, Johnson is reported to have instructed Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN) to secure the necessary votes for his funding plan. In contrast, Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) has expressed doubts about Emmer’s ability to deliver, according to Punchbowl. Allies of Emmer have voiced concerns, suggesting Johnson is pushing for a proposal unlikely to succeed while shifting the responsibility onto Emmer, Punchbowl added.
