The House on Wednesday advanced a seven-week stopgap funding bill that would keep the government open through Nov. 21 at current spending levels. The measure cleared debate rules in a 216-210 vote along party lines, with Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky voting present. Lawmakers expect a final vote by Friday; if approved, the bill would need Senate passage and President Trump’s signature before a Sept. 30 deadline to avert a shutdown.
The White House issued a policy directive praising a clean CR for keeping federal agencies funded while negotiations continue on full-year appropriations. President Trump urged Republicans to back the stopgap on Truth Social, saying they must unite to block what he called Democratic demands and to vote yes on the CR to keep the government open. 'Congressional Republicans, including [Senate Majority] Leader John Thune and [House] Speaker Mike Johnson, are working on a short term 'CLEAN' extension of Government Funding to stop Cryin' Chuck Schumer from shutting down the Government,' Trump wrote. 'In times like these, Republicans have to stick TOGETHER to fight back against the Radical Left Democrat demands, and vote 'YES!' on both votes needed to pass a Clean CR this week,' the president added.
House Speaker Mike Johnson said Republicans are committed to keeping the government open as they work on long-term funding. 'We need responsible options to keep the government open while all this work continues and Republicans are committed to making that happen,' he told reporters earlier in the week.
Senate Democrats criticized the GOP-crafted measure, arguing it does not address healthcare or other needs and could risk a looming shutdown. 'The House Republicans-only spending bill fails to meet the needs of the American people and does nothing to stop the looming healthcare crisis,' they said in a joint statement. 'By refusing to work with Democrats, Republicans are steering our country straight toward a shutdown.'
Some Republicans signaled opposition to another stopgap. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene wrote on X that continuing to pass CRs would make Trump a temporary president with temporary policies: 'Instead of passing a Republican appropriations bill with Trump policies and our spending priorities, in order to make his policies permanent. By continuing to pass CR’s, those that demand it and support it, are making Trump a temporary president with temporary policies.' Rep. Victoria Spartz bluntly posted: 'Thanksgiving CR – NO.' 'I am willing to vote for a CR of any duration—short or long—the least damage to the Republic, but I cannot support one that ends funding right before a major holiday to jam us with an Omnibus. I’ve seen this playbook too many times,' Spartz wrote on X.
Democratic leaders, meanwhile, warned that the GOP approach would not resolve ongoing funding questions and could shift urgency away from long-term negotiations. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries issued a joint statement saying the plan failed to address priorities like healthcare, veterans, and national security, and warned that pursuing a GOP-only bill would risk a shutdown. 'The House Republicans-only spending bill fails to meet the needs of the American people and does nothing to stop the looming healthcare crisis,' they said. 'By refusing to work with Democrats, Republicans are steering our country straight toward a shutdown.'
With only a few days left before the end of the month, lawmakers are eyeing a Friday vote in the House. If that vote clears, the bill would need to pass the Senate and be signed by the president before the Sept. 30 deadline to avert a shutdown. The party-line dynamics reflect the broader tension between the White House and congressional Republicans as they negotiate long-term funding levels for federal agencies. Supporters say the stopgap buys time for negotiations on a full-year appropriations package; opponents warn it would prolong a stalemate and delay needed policy decisions. The outcome remains uncertain as lawmakers return to the Capitol for a session crowded with procedural votes and holiday recess planning.
