House Republicans have introduced a spending bill aiming to fund federal agencies until September 30, taking an assertive approach that is likely to prompt a heated clash with Democrats regarding government spending priorities.
The big picture: The proposed 99-page bill includes a marginal increase in defense program funding while reducing nondefense programs below the levels of the 2024 budget year.
- This approach may face resistance from Democrats who advocate for a parallel increase in both defense and nondefense spending.
- The necessity to act by Friday midnight to avoid a partial government shutdown compels the House Speaker, Mike Johnson to schedule a vote on Tuesday despite the absence of Democratic support, essentially challenging them to oppose the bill and risk a shutdown. The plan also relies on Republican unity and the endorsement of former President Trump.
Driving the news: Historically, Republicans have generally needed Democratic support to pass spending bills, but the current strategy enjoys the backing of President Trump, who has demonstrated an ability to maintain Republican solidarity.
Zoom in: The bill entails around $892.5 billion for defense spending and approximately $708 billion for nondefense spending, with defense funding slightly surpassing the previous year’s levels and nondefense funding trailing by approximately 8%.
- Notably, the proposed deal does not incorporate supplementary agreements intended to soften the impact of spending cuts on nondefense programs, unlike previous negotiations led by Democratic President Joe Biden and former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
- The bill excludes funding for community projects, commonly referred to as earmarks, requested by individual lawmakers, and does not cover major government spending programs such as Social Security and Medicare, which operate on autopilot without regular Congressional review.
