United States: In a significant move, House Republicans have successfully passed a bill to fund the government until the end of September 2025. This marks a major win for Speaker Mike Johnson, who has previously needed Democratic support to prevent a government shutdown.   

The House approved the spending bill, known as a continuing resolution (CR), with a close vote of 217-213, just days before certain funding was set to expire.   

Following the vote—where only one Republican voted against it—Johnson expressed gratitude to former President Donald Trump for persuading hesitant GOP members to support the bill.   

“We are united in our mission to deliver the America First agenda,” Johnson posted on X, according to ABC News.  

The bill now moves to the Senate, where it must secure 60 votes to pass. However, its future remains uncertain, leaving Senate Democrats divided on their next move.   

What Will Senate Democrats Do?   

Senator Angus King of Maine described the situation as a difficult choice.   

“There are really only two options: Vote for a flawed CR or risk a potentially worse shutdown,” King said after the House vote.   

Democrats held a two-hour meeting but failed to reach an agreement on how to proceed. Some are considering blocking the bill, even if it leads to a government shutdown.   

Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts strongly opposed the House bill, calling it a “shutdown bill” for which Republicans should be held accountable.   

“A budget reflects our values,” Warren said in a Senate speech. “This proposal shows exactly where Republicans stand. After months of bipartisan discussions, they are walking away and pushing a bill that brings us to the edge of a full government shutdown. This approach is reckless and will harm working families.”   

Though she did not explicitly say how she would vote, Warren indicated that Senate Democrats should stand united in opposing the measure, following the lead of House Democrats, as per ABC News. 

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries echoed this sentiment, stating that Senate Democrats should reject the bill.   

Senate Democrats Face a Difficult Decision   

The choice facing Senate Democrats is not easy. King noted concerns about how a shutdown under the current Trump administration could be unpredictable.   

“A shutdown could give the president almost unlimited power, allowing him to decide which agencies remain open and which do not,” King said. “That is the risk we are discussing.”   

With the House now adjourned for the week, the Senate must act quickly to prevent a shutdown before Friday night. At least eight Democratic votes will be needed to pass the bill, especially since Republican Senator Rand Paul has already declared his opposition.   

Senator John Hickenlooper of Colorado admitted uncertainty about the final decision.   

“They made a lot of changes, and I need to review them,” he said. “I’m not happy… It’s one of those things that, once we go through it, will feel like a bad dream.”   

The House Vote: One Republican ‘No,’ One Democrat ‘Yes’   

During the House vote, Republican Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky opposed the bill despite pressure from Trump. On Monday, Trump suggested on Truth Social that Massie should face a primary challenge for his defiance.   

Meanwhile, Democratic Representative Jared Golden broke ranks with his party and voted in favor of the bill.   

“This CR is not perfect, but a shutdown would be worse,” Golden wrote on X. “Even a short shutdown would create more chaos at a time when our country cannot afford it.”   

Golden also criticized fellow Democrats for using what he called “messaging gimmicks” to attack the bill.   

The bill funds the government at current levels through September 30, 2025, as per ABC News. 

Government funding runs out in two days and Senate Democrats face a stark choice to either vote for the GOP-authored CR or the federal government shuts down.@AndrewDesiderio, @bresreports and @maxpcohen with more:https://t.co/DGY4Zz3UTQ

— Punchbowl News (@PunchbowlNews) March 12, 2025

What’s Inside the Bill?   

The 99-page legislation reduces overall government spending compared to last year but increases military funding by $6 billion.   

It also adds $6 billion for veterans’ health care, but non-defense spending is about $13 billion lower than fiscal year 2024 levels.   

The bill does not include emergency disaster relief funding but boosts spending for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deportation operations.   

Additionally, the measure provides an extra $500 million for the WIC program, which offers free groceries to low-income women and children.   

With the bill now in the Senate’s hands, its fate remains unclear. It will require bipartisan support to pass in the upper chamber.   

A Test of Johnson’s Leadership   

This vote was a crucial test for Speaker Mike Johnson. Without Democratic backing, he could only afford to lose one Republican vote before risking the bill’s failure.   

After the vote, Johnson praised Republicans for standing with “the American people” and criticized Democrats for what he called “partisan politics.”   

Johnson received key support from Trump and Vice President JD Vance, who helped rally Republicans before the vote, according to ABC News.   

In the hours leading up to the decision, Trump personally contacted undecided House Republicans to secure their votes. Meanwhile, Vance attended a closed-door meeting with House Republicans, stressing the importance of avoiding a government shutdown.   

With the funding deadline set to expire at the end of the day on Friday, March 14, all eyes are now on the Senate to see what happens next.