U.S. House Speaker Proposes Stopgap Bill to Avert Government Shutdown

Republican U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson proposed a three-month stopgap funding bill that excludes an immigration-related measure demanded by Donald Trump. The bill aims to prevent a partial government shutdown by extending funding through December 20, avoiding disruption before the Nov. 5 election and critical Jan. 1 debt ceiling deadline.

In an effort to prevent a government shutdown, Republican U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson has proposed a three-month stopgap funding bill that notably excludes an immigration-related measure initially demanded by former President Donald Trump.

Johnson detailed the plan in a letter addressed to his colleagues, released merely eight days before the current $1.2 trillion in discretionary funding expires on Sept. 30. The House aims to vote on the measure by Wednesday, according to sources familiar with the situation. Should Congress fail to act, it would trigger a partial government shutdown and furlough thousands of federal workers just weeks ahead of the Nov. 5 election.

The proposed stopgap measure aligns with Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer's call for a basic extension of government funding, pushing the deadline to Dec. 20. Johnson emphasized the political risks of a government shutdown so close to an election, describing it as 'an act of political malpractice.' Moreover, Congress faces an impending critical deadline on Jan. 1 to raise the nation's debt ceiling, essential to avert defaulting on over $35 trillion in federal debt.

(With inputs from agencies.)