The House Freedom Caucus announced that it will vote against Speaker Mike Johnson’s stopgap spending bill. This adds to the number of GOP defectors who are opposing the bill. The conservative hardliners, consisting of more than 40 members, united in their opposition to the two-step or “laddered” short-term spending bill proposed by Mr. Johnson. The bill is aimed at avoiding a partial government shutdown at midnight Friday. Eight other GOP lawmakers have also publicly voiced their opposition to the bill.
The Freedom Caucus argues that Mr. Johnson’s “clean” approach, which continues funding levels from the previous fiscal year without cuts or policy riders, does not benefit the American people. They believe that Republicans should not negotiate against themselves out of fear of what the Senate may do. The Freedom Caucus withdrew its support after Mr. Johnson spoke with its members on Monday night.
The idea of a two-step bill, with Mr. Johnson’s version setting deadlines for finishing work on spending bills, was first proposed by Freedom Caucus member Rep. Andy Harris. Mr. Harris hoped that this idea would attract conservatives who were hesitant to support a stopgap bill.
Mr. Johnson plans to put the bill to a House vote later on Tuesday, requiring a two-thirds majority to pass. It will need support from Democrats. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries stated that Democrats are carefully evaluating the bill.