The House passed a $1.2 trillion spending bill to keep the government funded through September, narrowly averting a potential shutdown. Despite strong opposition from conservative Republicans, Democrats came together to push the bill forward. Infuriated by the bipartisan legislation, hard-right conservatives revolted and threatened a vote to oust Speaker Mike Johnson, although the move was not pursued immediately.
The passage of the bill, just hours before a shutdown deadline, forced Speaker Johnson to violate House Republican norms by relying on Democratic votes to secure its approval. The legislation, which combines six spending bills into one, faced criticism from ultraconservatives for what they viewed as insufficiently conservative provisions. While Republicans did secure some wins in the bill, including funding for border security measures, they were unhappy with the overall price tag and provisions included in the legislation.
Despite opposition from some Republicans, Democrats were able to secure additional funding for federal child care, education programs, and cancer research. The bill represented a compromise, with both sides having to make concessions to keep the government running. The passage of the bill highlighted the challenges of governing in a divided political landscape, where bipartisan cooperation is sometimes necessary to pass essential legislation.
