WASHINGTON — House Speaker Mike Johnson had initially expected to release the text of a short-term funding bill over the weekend. Then he expected it on Monday. Now, he expects it on Tuesday.
With less than four days to go before the government shuts down, Johnson, R-La., and congressional leaders continued to negotiate a bipartisan stopgap bill to keep funds flowing into 2025.
“We’re almost there,” Johnson told reporters Tuesday at a news conference. “We do expect text today.”
He said the legislation will keep the government open until March 14, and it will include disaster relief and $10 billion in assistance to farmers. He said he expects to honor the 72-hour rule between the release of text and a vote, which would cut close to the Friday midnight deadline to avoid a shutdown. Johnson said he's working toward getting a majority of Republicans to vote for it.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said “negotiations continue” between the two parties on a funding deal.
“There continues to be good progress, but appropriators are still working on finalizing an agreement,” Schumer said Tuesday on the Senate floor. “Obviously, we’re getting closer to the December 20 deadline, so time is of the essence for Republicans to reach an agreement with us that we can act on quickly.”
The last-minute negotiations and uncertainty about some provisions, including a health care measure that would overhaul laws around pharmacy benefit managers (or PBMs), have sparked criticisms from some House conservatives.
“This is not the way to do things,” Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, tweeted.
Rep. Eric Burlison, R-Mo., called the emerging legislation “a total dumpster fire” and said he’s “extremely frustrated” with Johnson.
“I think it’s garbage,” Burlison told reporters. “This is why I ran for Congress, to try to stop this. And sadly, this is happening again... I’m disappointed. I think that he can do better. He can communicate better. The fact that we haven’t seen the language today and we’re supposed to vote on it this week is unacceptable.”
When asked if it makes him wary of supporting Johnson for speaker next month, Burlison replied, “That I won’t say.”
Johnson, who will seek re-election as speaker on Jan. 3 with an even slimmer Republican majority, said he isn’t concerned about it.
“I’m not worried about the speaker vote,” Johnson told reporters. “We’re governing. Everybody knows we have difficult circumstances. We’re doing the very best we can under those circumstances.”
Funding expires on Dec. 20, when the House and Senate are hoping to adjourn for the Christmas, Hanukkah and New Year holidays.
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., said the chamber plans to pass a bill to get the “government funded” and ensure that “we take care of disasters and our farmers here in America.”
“We have a lot to do the rest of this week, but we all look forward to getting back home to our families and enjoying a great Christmas as we get ready for what will be a very busy and productive New Year,” Scalise told reporters on Tuesday, standing alongside Johnson.
