House Passes Two-Step Continuing Resolution to Avert Gov’t Shutdown

The Republican-held House of Representatives voted Tuesday to pass Speaker Mike Johnson’s two-part continuing resolution (CR) to avoid a government shutdown on Nov. 17.

Johnson’s plan, the “Further Continuing Appropriations and Other Extensions Act of 2024,” would temporarily extend a majority of federal funding through Feb. 2, as well as four other appropriations bills until Jan. 19, according to the bill’s text. Despite some Republicans criticizing the move for not providing spending cuts and other conservative provisions, the CR passed the lower chamber by a 336-95 vote with bipartisan support.

The spending legislation received 209 Democratic votes, while 93 Republicans opposed it.

Spending legislation for Agriculture, Energy-Water, Military Construction-Veterans Affairs and Transportation-Housing and Urban Development would be extended through Jan. 19, per Johnson’s CR, with the remaining eight appropriations bills set to expire on Feb. 2.

“This two-step continuing resolution is a necessary bill to place House Republicans in the best position to fight for conservative victories,” Johnson said in a statement on Saturday. “The bill will stop the absurd holiday-season omnibus tradition of massive, loaded up spending bills introduced right before the Christmas recess. Separating out the CR 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.”