The Blubber

The House has passed the stopgap funding bill.


The vote, with a count of 336-95, saw support from 209 Democrats and 127 Republicans. Ninety-three Republicans opposed it, surpassing the number from the previous government funding bill in September. Only two Democrats, Jake Auchincloss of Massachusetts and Mike Quigley of Illinois, dissented.

Leadership structured the vote to require two-thirds support from the entire House for passage.

Following the vote, Johnson, R-La., stated, "We just had to get the job done."

The Senate is expected to advance the bill to President Joe Biden's desk by Friday night to prevent a shutdown.

Johnson's "laddered continuing resolution" (CR) funds select government sectors—Agriculture, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Veterans Affairs—until Jan. 19. The Defense Department and remaining sectors would receive funding until Feb. 2.

This "clean" CR avoids spending cuts or contentious policy provisions, preventing discord with Democrats. It also excludes a supplemental package covering issues like aid for Israel and Ukraine, humanitarian assistance, or border security, leaving those matters for later in the year.

Faced with conservative opposition, Johnson secured Democratic backing shortly before the vote, ensuring the bill's passage. Democratic leaders affirmed their support, emphasizing the criteria that the continuing resolution aligns with fiscal year 2023 spending levels, avoids harmful cuts, and steers clear of extreme right-wing policy riders.