House Republicans Propose New Spending Bill Amid Tensions with Democrats

On Saturday, House Republicans introduced a spending bill aimed at funding federal agencies until September 30, setting the stage for a potential clash with Democrats over government spending priorities. The 99-page proposal seeks to increase defense spending slightly while reducing nondefense expenditures below the levels projected for the 2024 fiscal year, a move likely to face opposition from Democrats who advocate for equal increases in both areas.

The urgency of the situation is underscored by the looming deadline; Congress has until midnight Friday to pass the bill to avert a partial government shutdown. Despite the absence of Democratic support, Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., plans to bring the bill to a vote on Tuesday, challenging Democrats to either support the bill or risk a shutdown.

Historically, Republican efforts to pass spending bills without bipartisan support have been unsuccessful, necessitating collaboration with Democrats. However, this bill enjoys the endorsement of President Donald Trump, who has effectively maintained party discipline during his term. Trump expressed his support on Truth Social, urging Republicans to stay united and postpone conflicts to a more opportune time.

The proposed bill allocates approximately $892.5 billion for defense and $708 billion for nondefense purposes. Notably, the nondefense spending represents a $13 billion reduction from the previous year. Additionally, the bill excludes funding for numerous community projects, known as earmarks, but includes significant pay raises for junior enlisted servicemembers and an additional $500 million for nutritional programs for women, infants, and young children.

1776 Coalition Sponsored Kamala’s Bank Funnels money to Terrorists Did you know that labor unions, the Democratic Party and politicians like Kamala Harris are responsible for providing financial aid to groups that support Middle East terrorism? Our new documentary exposes their bank, Amalgamated Bank, for using proceeds from bank fees to do it. Please watch the trailer and help the Coalition for Jewish Values end the killing of Americans and our friends in Israel.

While the bill does not encompass major entitlement programs like Social Security and Medicare, which are automatically funded, Democratic leaders have expressed concerns over the lack of protective measures for these programs in the current proposal. High-ranking Democrats, including Rep. Hakeem Jeffries and Senators Rosa DeLauro and Patty Murray, have criticized the bill for potentially increasing the discretionary power of the Trump administration over federal spending.

Senator Susan Collins emphasized the importance of avoiding a shutdown, highlighting the adverse impacts on essential government workers who would be forced to work without knowledge of when they will be paid next. Meanwhile, some conservative Republicans, traditionally opposed to continuing resolutions, are showing support for this bill, trusting in Trump’s leadership and the influence of Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency to address national debt issues.

Democrats warn that proceeding without bipartisan consultation could increase the likelihood of a shutdown. They argue that any effective solution should involve input from both parties. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer reiterated the necessity of a bipartisan approach to government funding.

As the House prepares for the upcoming vote, the narrow Republican majority means that nearly unanimous support within the party is necessary, particularly as the bill faces even greater challenges in the Senate, where bipartisan support is essential to overcome a filibuster.