Washington
— CNN
House Speaker Mike Johnson Proposes Spending Bill to Avoid Government Shutdown
House Speaker Mike Johnson revealed a proposed spending bill on Sunday aimed at preventing a government shutdown, contingent on its passage in both the House and Senate before the funding deadline of September 30. Johnson emphasized the necessity of upholding government operations, especially in the lead-up to upcoming elections.
In correspondence with fellow lawmakers, Johnson expressed his desire to steer clear of a government shutdown in the weeks prior to the election, emphasizing the importance of bipartisan cooperation.
The spending proposal, labelled a limited continuing resolution, has garnered bipartisan support, with top Democratic leaders praising the collaborative negotiations that culminated in a funding agreement notable for its absence of budget cuts and contentious provisions.
Key Provisions of the Bill
Government Funding Extended to December 20
The proposed legislation will extend government funding through December 20, 2024, allowing operations to continue for an additional three months. This move is strategically timed to prevent a shutdown before the November elections, although it will set up a contentious negotiation for a full budget right before the Christmas holiday.
Increased Funding for Secret Service
Notable in the spending bill is the inclusion of an additional $231 million allocated to the U.S. Secret Service, which is responsible for the safety of 2024 presidential candidates. This funding increase follows a second assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump on September 15 at his Florida golf club. The Secret Service’s oversight has come under scrutiny, leading to the resignation of its director following prior testimony regarding security lapses.
However, the availability of these funds is contingent on a report requested from the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees the Secret Service. The additional funding is authorized to remain accessible until September 30, 2025.
Contentious Political Climate
Previously, Johnson had proposed a GOP funding plan that contained controversial measures aimed at noncitizen voting, a pursuit supported by Trump, despite existing restrictions against noncitizen participation in federal elections. The former president had advocated for a government shutdown if the proposed voting measures, referred to as the SAVE Act, were not advanced.
That earlier funding bill was ultimately unsuccessful in a House vote, and the contentious voting provisions were notably omitted from Johnson’s latest proposal.
