On Friday morning, the House passed a spending bill that will prevent a government shutdown for an additional seven weeks, though only one Democrat chose to back this significant legislation.
The continuing resolution (CR) received 213 votes in favor and no votes against it, with three members abstaining, and has now been sent to the Senate.
Jared Golden, a Democrat in a vulnerable position, was the sole member of his party supporting the CR. He represents a district that was notably won by President Donald Trump and is considered one of the more at-risk House Democrats as 2026 approaches.
Two Republican representatives, Thomas Massey and Victoria Spartz, also cast their votes.
Massey is known for rarely supporting bills in the House, including many initiatives championed by Trump. Spartz, who often becomes a key vote, is recognized for her unpredictable stance on Capitol Hill and has seen higher than average turnover in her office.
Trump has voiced his support for the CR.
Republican Rep. Jeff Shreve did not participate in the voting, nor did Democrats Adam Gray and Marie Grusenkamp Perez, both of whom missed this crucial opportunity.
Despite her absence, Perez issued a statement expressing her intention to support the bill later that Friday.
The legislation is now in the Senate, where it may encounter significant obstacles.
The Senate is anticipated to deliberate on two separate bills: one is a Democratic alternative to the House’s CR, and the other originates from the Republican majority, meant to provide additional time for bipartisan budgeting discussions.
Chances are both of these bills will not pass, and the Senate is likely to adjourn until just hours before the October 1 deadline.
The short-term CR is set to expire on November 21, which means critical votes will likely be lined up just ahead of Thanksgiving or Christmas, following the typical strategies employed by Congressional leaders.
