Democrat knocks ‘Groundhog Day funding measures’ after CR vote 

Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-Va.) said in a statement to keep government agencies open after the House approved a third short-term spending bill through fiscal year 2024 to avert a government shutdown. He accused Congress of relying on “Groundhog Day funding measures.”

Shortly after the Senate approved the bill earlier that afternoon, a two-step continuing resolution (CR) passed the floor by a vote of 314 to 108. The bill will now be sent to President Biden's desk for signature the day before the partial government shutdown.

The resolution extends government funding deadlines to March 1 and March 8, giving lawmakers more time to complete formal spending.

“I just voted yes for both Democrats and Republicans to avoid a partial government shutdown and economic disaster for Virginia,” Spanberger said on X (the platform formerly known as Twitter). I wrote this in a post. “But we just don't have a plan yet.”

“This cycle of political games and short-term Groundhog Day fundraising maneuvers is long overdue,” she added.

Mr. Spanberger's grievances cut across party lines. Many Democrats criticized Republicans for not more broadly supporting the short-term funding bill, which they saw as the only way to avoid a shutdown in time. Some conservatives, however, were critical of the resolution's approval without including Republican policy wins such as border security and spending cuts.

Lawmakers on both sides similarly expressed frustration with how often Congress misses deadlines.

“It doesn't matter who's in the speaker's seat or who's in the majority. We keep doing the same stupid things,” said Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) in the House. said in a statement. Roy has long opposed continuing the resolution and advocated further spending cuts.

Ultimately, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) relied on Democratic support to approve the bill. Only two House Democrats voted against the bill, but the vote was split among Republicans.

“House Democrats are the adults in the room,” House Minority Whip Katherine Clark (D-Mass.) told X. “We stopped MAGA from shutting down in September. We did it again in November. And we did it again today.”

Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) shared similar sentiments about X, writing: House Republicans have no interest or ability to govern. ”