On Tuesday, House Republicans unveiled a suspension bill aimed at funding the government at existing levels until November 21 and boosting security funding for civil servants.
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) mentioned that the House is set to vote on the bill “by Friday,” emphasizing that the government will remain funded and operational while continuing work at the current levels.
The proposed legislation includes an increase of $58 million for security funds directed towards civil servants—$30 million for the administrative department and $28 million for the Supreme Court. Additionally, there’s a $30 million boost in security finances for Congressional members.
A source from House GOP Leadership shared that the added $30 million for member security will be allocated to mutual aid accounts to reimburse local police departments for their expenses in protecting members of Congress.
The bill also proposes a 2026 funding amendment for the District of Columbia, following Congress’s decision to withhold $1 billion in funding for the district earlier this year. It contains several budget requests made by the White House and extends approvals for healthcare and veterans’ affairs.
Democrats opposed these fundraising measures, looking to reverse Medicaid cuts implemented by Republicans earlier this year while calling for suspensions to extend Affordable Care Act (ACA) grants set to expire at the year’s end.
“In return for a government-funded vote, some Democrats indicated they expected Republicans to eliminate popular, effective reforms to the Medicaid program,” one source noted.
On the subject of the expired ACA grants, Johnson stated: “That’s a policy matter for December, not a funding matter for September.”
If all Democrats sidestep the continuing resolution (CR), Republicans can afford to lose two of their own votes, provided that all members are present and voting.
There are indications that at least four GOP members might not support the short-term CR. Rep. Thomas Massie (Ky.) has referred to expanding funding levels originally approved under former President Biden as “disloyal” to Trump. Rep. Victoria Spartz (Ind.) frequently opposes funding for members before eventually voting for it. Additionally, Senator Warren Davidson (Ohio) criticized the idea of “another CR for more government.”
Despite this, Davidson indicated he would likely support it come Tuesday morning, asking, “Whenever there is a CR, what’s the next move?”
