House Passes Spending Bill Led by Dems

The House of Representatives passed a $1.2 trillion federal spending package Friday that the Senate will vote on to avoid a government shutdown. The GOP-majority chamber passed the bill with more votes from Democrats than Republicans.  

The spending bill passed 286-134, with 112 Republicans and 23 Democrats voting nay. It funds Congress, as well as the Departments of Defense, Homeland Security, Education, and Health and Human Services.

The legislative package excluded a border security measure that an extensive list of Republicans had demanded be added to gain their vote. 

“I have a real problem with giving the Biden Administration more money without changes to his border policy,” Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY) wrote on X ahead of the vote. “I will not fund his reckless agenda that includes the transportation & housing of more illegal immigrants, including criminals, in New York City & across America.”

Republicans complained they had less than 48 hours to review the bill, which Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) blamed on negotiations with the White House.

“A no vote on the #SwampOmnibus is a vote for America,” Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX), a leading critic of the bill, stated on social media ahead of the vote. “A yes vote is a vote for the swamp.”

On the other side of the aisle, Democrats touted victories by having excluded the Republican border security measures and added a $1 billion increase for green energy programs.

“The House has passed legislation to fund the government, meet the needs of everyday Americans, and avoid a shutdown,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) wrote on X. “People. Over. Politics.”

Funding established through the bill includes $824 billion for defense, $79 billion for the Department of Education, nearly $14 billion for the Labor Department, over $117 billion for the Department of Health and Human Services, and nearly $7 billion for Congress.

The Senate has until midnight to pass the bill and avoid a government shutdown. 

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) said Friday she filed a motion to vacate Johnson as speaker, which she described as, “more of a warning and a pink slip,” per CNN. Democrats hinted they would oppose the motion to keep Johnson in power as they hope to pass aid for Ukraine.