Congress is expected to pass a short-term federal funding extension called a continuing resolution (CR) this week aimed at averting a government shutdown.
The bill is expected to pass with the support of Republican and Democratic leaders who agree on little except that a government shutdown is a bad idea, both practically and politically. There is.
The Republican majority in the House of Representatives is experiencing deep rifts over federal spending, with a growing number of conservatives declaring they would rather shut down the government than extend the spending priorities of the last Democratic Congress.
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From left: House Speaker Mike Johnson (R., Louisiana), Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R., Kentucky), Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D.N.Y.), House of Representatives Hakeem Jeffries. Minority Leader (DN.Y.) (Getty Images)
Within hours of the release of CR's legislative text, the hard-right House Freedom Caucus denounced it as a “capitulation.” Meanwhile, Johnson argued that extra time would put Republicans on track to secure conservative policy wins in the spending fight.
Ultra-conservatives have wielded significant influence over the House Republican majority for much of this Congress, especially on bills that rely on Republican votes to pass.
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But two Republican aides who spoke to FOX News Digital expect there is little the Freedom Caucus and its allies can do to stop CR.
Given the current political climate surrounding spending, it's unclear whether House Republican leaders will be able to secure support from a majority of members, both aides suggested.
The House Freedom Caucus, led by Rep. Bob Good, opposes the CR plan put forward by congressional leaders. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
“It's definitely going to be a showdown,” one Republican aide told Fox News Digital. They previously said, “There is no proposal to avoid a government shutdown, the Freedom Caucus is nothing but criticism, and progressives want to spend more money than this deal suggests.”
“This will result in a classic coalition of Republicans and Democrats achieving this CR and crossing the finish line,” the aide predicted. “This bill will pass in the House, but more Republicans than ever before will be forced to vote against this CR for political reasons.”
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Meanwhile, aides to moderate Republicans say the political situation is due to the House Republican Party led by Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), who ousted former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) in October. He claimed that eight members of Congress were to blame.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (left) and House Speaker Mike Johnson agreed to extend government funding through early March. (Getty Images)
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“Thanks to the Gaetz gang, which was more focused on political retaliation against Kevin McCarthy with the help of Democrats, the House was once again forced to pass CR rather than deliver on the spending reforms we promised. “It's going to happen,” the second aide said.
The new CR would extend two current government funding deadlines from January 19 and February 2 to March 1 and March 8.
