The Republican Party on Saturday revealed an unconventional temporary plan to fund the US government, with little room to maneuver it through a deeply divided US Congress just days ahead of a potential shutdown.
New US House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson said the two-part move was “a necessary bill to place House Republicans in the best position to fight for conservative victories.”
US media reported that an unusual play would see some bills needed to keep the government open passed via a short-term bill until Jan. 19, while the rest would be rolled over until Feb. 2.
Photo: EPA-EFE
It is aimed at buying Congress time to pass individual spending bills — and does not provide funding for Israel, Ukraine and border security, the reports said.
However, with some Republicans complaining that the plan does not make the funding cuts they seek, it was unclear if the party, which has only a narrow majority in the House, would be able to pass it.
“The bill will stop the absurd holiday-season omnibus tradition of massive, loaded-up spending bills introduced right before the Christmas recess,” Johnson wrote on X, formerly Twitter, without offering details.
“Separating out the CR [continuing resolution] from the supplemental funding debates places our conference in the best position to fight for fiscal responsibility, oversight over Ukraine aid and meaningful policy changes at our Southern border,” he said.
Republican US Representative Chip Roy was among those quickly voicing dissent from the party’s right, writing on X that his opposition to the plan “cannot be overstated,” and saying that it does not cut spending enough.
The White House said the plan was “a recipe for more Republican chaos and more shutdowns.”
“House Republicans are wasting precious time with an unserious proposal that has been panned by members of both parties,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in the statement.
Federal government funding expires at midnight on Friday into Saturday.
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