House Republicans are reportedly advancing a two-step strategy to secure government funding as Congress hurtles towards another spending deadline this Friday, according to sources familiar with the matter. Newly appointed House Speaker Mike Johnson unveiled the plan during a GOP conference call on Saturday, asserting that he wasn't responsible for the current predicament. Despite aligning with right-wing members by endorsing the two-step approach, Johnson did not yield entirely to their demands, as the proposed package avoids the deep spending cuts advocated by some within the party.
Describing the plan as a "necessary bill to place House Republicans in the best position to fight for conservative victories," Johnson outlined that the initial bill would extend funding until January 19, covering military construction, Veterans Affairs, transportation, housing, and the Energy Department. The subsequent bill, extending funding until February 2, would encompass the remainder of the government. Notably, neither bill includes additional aid for Israel or Ukraine.
While the two-step strategy gained support among Republican hardliners, it faced skepticism from some senators who viewed it as a complex solution. Despite concerns, the fact that funding levels would remain status quo could pose challenges for Democrats opposing the plan.
A Senate Democratic leadership aide expressed openness to Johnson's funding proposal, highlighting the absence of unnecessary cuts and the retention of defense funding within the second phase of programs. Conversely, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre criticized Johnson's plan, characterizing it as a "recipe for more Republican chaos and more shutdowns."
Ahead of the GOP conference call, Republicans weighed multiple options, including a simpler stopgap bill and the more intricate two-step approach. Internal divisions persist, with some advocating for a "clean" stopgap bill and others, particularly the Freedom Caucus, supporting the laddered approach.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries had previously dismissed the two-step continuing resolution as a "right-wing joyride" that would have adverse effects on the economy. To pass the bill by a majority vote, Johnson must first secure approval for a rule to set parameters for a floor debate. The dynamics within the Republican party will play a crucial role in navigating this process.
As the Friday deadline looms, Democrats privately criticize Johnson's strategy, deeming a two-step resolution to keep the government open untenable. However, they acknowledge the avoidance of spending cuts, a critical point for their party.
The central question remains: How many Democrats will support the plan? The answer will determine the GOP's floor strategy in the coming days. Failure to pass a spending plan by Friday could lead to disruptions in certain government operations, emphasizing the need for bipartisan collaboration to avert economic consequences and uncertainty associated with a government shutdown.