The $1.2 trillion government funding bill was passed by the US House of Representatives on Friday, with more Democrats supporting it than Republicans.
This led to a new threat from a hardline conservative lawmaker aimed at ousting Speaker Mike Johnson.
Senate’s Limited Timeframe
The vote of 286-134 sends the bill to the Senate, where there’s limited time before a midnight deadline. This passage represents a crucial step in resolving a six-month dispute over Washington’s spending. However, ratings agencies caution that repeated brinkmanship could damage the government’s creditworthiness, given its $34.6 trillion debt.
Division over Funding Allocation in US House
The bill, supported by 185 Democrats and 101 Republicans, prompted Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene to introduce a motion to remove Speaker Mike Johnson, although she indicated it’s more of a warning than an immediate action.
Marjorie Taylor Greene said the clock has started to remove Speaker Mike Johnson.
Democrat Hakeem Jeffries could become Speaker of U.S House in July.pic.twitter.com/F6XKONXnxB
— PoliticsVideoChannel (@politvidchannel) March 22, 2024
Call for Swift Action
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer urged swift action to avoid a shutdown. The bill encompasses funding for defense, a raise for troops, and various agencies. Another contentious issue is the $95 billion security assistance package for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. Some Republicans are hesitant to continue supporting aid to Ukraine.
Avoiding Election-Year Shutdown
Despite conservative efforts for deeper spending cuts, most Republicans are cautious about triggering a shutdown, given the upcoming elections. A shutdown would impact various government services, including pay for federal workers, national parks, and international operations. However, certain essential services, like tax processing and embassy security, would continue.
