In anticipation of two potential government shutdowns, Congress is bracing itself for a funding showdown as House Republican leaders prepare for their majority to be reduced to just two seats. Rep. Bill Johnson, R-Ohio, announced his resignation from Congress effective Jan. 21, coinciding with the upcoming government funding deadlines. Under a continuing resolution (CR) passed late last year, certain agencies must be funded by Jan. 19, and others by Feb. 2. However, the narrow majority left by Johnson’s departure will be short-lived, as Rep. Brian Higgins, D-N.Y., is expected to leave Congress in February.
The resignation dates of Johnson and Higgins are crucial, as they could significantly impact bipartisan negotiations on avoiding a government shutdown if a plan is not put in place by Feb. 2. Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s recent departure further reduced the GOP majority to just three seats, intensifying the challenges faced by House Republicans.
Despite the potential setbacks, some House Republicans remain unfazed by the resignations. GOP Conference Vice Chair Blake Moore, R-Utah, noted that their situation would not be much different from the four-seat majority they had operated under for most of 2023. However, others expressed more caution. Rep. Mike Garcia, R-Calif., emphasized the precariousness of the situation, stating, “Between God, gravity, indictments and retirements, we’re one day away from losing the majority, depending on what happens.”
The need for a bipartisan government funding deal becomes increasingly apparent as the deadline approaches. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., is currently collaborating with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., to determine a top-line figure. However, if House Republicans can only afford to lose two votes, it will be more challenging for them to extract conservative policies that align with their agenda, as they did in several House-passed appropriations bills last year.
Despite the potential obstacles, Schumer expressed optimism about reaching a bipartisan agreement in time to avoid a shutdown. He stated, “We’re getting quite close… I’m hopeful that we can get a budget agreement soon, and I’m hopeful that we could avoid a shutdown, given the progress we’ve made. That is certainly not out of the question, as some people have said it would be.”
As Congress navigates the complexities of government funding, it remains to be seen how the resignations and narrow majority will impact negotiations and the overall functioning of the House.
