- The House of Representatives is on recess until February 28, just three days before the March 1 deadline to fund the government
- If Congress does not approve funding by March, the government will shut down
- Republicans have indicated there is no appetite for another spending bill anytime soon, while Democrats welcome the idea.
The House of Representatives entered a two-week recess Thursday without passing a government funding bill, leaving them just three days after their return to avoid another possible government shutdown.
Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., managed to pass a short-term funding bill called continuing resolution (or CR) in mid-January to avoid a government shutdown. The measure was approved by 314 votes in favor and 108 against, and Democrats joined with Republicans to get it across the finish line.
But that funding expires March 1, and the House won’t reconvene until February 28.
Many Conservatives, however, opposed the January CR, but Johnson quelled their dissent by stating that the government would be funded with 12 separate bills for each government agency rather than one large omnibus.
But the House only has three days after it returns from recess to pass those 12 separate bills, raising questions for some about how Johnson’s mission can be accomplished.
“I think a CR will not be well received by the Republican Conference,” Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., told DailyMail.com.
Rep. Byron Donalds said Republicans would be upset if they had to pass another short-term spending bill before the March 1 government shutdown.
Speaker Mike Johnson repeatedly indicated he would use the time after passing the January CR to discuss 12 individual spending bills.
“When it comes to the Speaker, I think what needs to happen is that they start thinking strategically long-term, not just what’s in front of us from week to week.”
Donalds also said the 12 individual funding bills would not be passed before the March 1 funding deadline.
“I already know it won’t happen before the first one,” he said, adding that the bills couldn’t be passed because the Senate is already in recess.
Republican Mike Garcia of California agreed: “I don’t know if individual bills are feasible.”
House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Mark Green told DailyMail.com that he hopes to get funding for border security attached to any future spending measures.
“Well, what I’ve been working on is how can we get some border security and insert it into some of these things,” Green said.
Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin said he hopes the House will pass a CR to avoid a government shutdown in early March.
Asked if he thinks the House is prepared to pass another CR, the president responded: “God, I hope not.” I hate voting no.’
Republican Rep. Tim Burchett of Tennessee also said he would “probably” vote no on another CR unless it included significant funding for borer safety.
“I’ve never voted for a CR since I’ve been here,” he said.
Democrats, on the other hand, welcome another short-term spending bill.
“I’m assuming and hoping we get another CR instead of shutting down the government,” said Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md.
“I think President Johnson and the Republican Party understand that they have already provided enough spectacle of chaos and dysfunction without needing to sink deeper into it.”
The House has already passed two CRs since Johnson took the Speaker’s gavel in October.