US House Speaker Johnson looks to Democrats to avert gov't shutdown
By David Morgan and Richard Cowan
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson will brave opposition from fellow Republicans and rely on Democratic votes on Tuesday in a risky tactic to avert a government shutdown.
The House of Representatives has scheduled a vote at 4:20 p.m. (2120 GMT) on a stopgap spending bill that would extend government funding beyond Nov. 17, when it is due to run out.
Facing opposition from some right-wing Republicans, Johnson has opted to bring the bill up directly for a vote on the House floor. That allows him to avoid a potential procedural roadblock, but requires a two-thirds vote for passage — meaning Democratic support will be needed.
«Getting us beyond the shutdown and making sure that government stays in operation is a matter of conscience for all of us,» he told a press conference.
To avert a fourth shutdown in a decade, the Republican-controlled House and Democratic-led Senate must agree on spending legislation that President Joe Biden can sign into law before current funding for federal agencies expires on Friday.
Democrats in the House and Senate have offered tentative support for Johnson's plan, saying they are pleased that the legislation does not appear to include controversial policies on abortion or other hot-button social issues.
But the bill lacks the steep spending cuts and border-security measures that many Republicans have sought. Representative Kevin Hern, who heads a group of conservative Republicans, estimated 30 to 40 of them could vote against it.
Other Republicans said they would support it.
«I think the greater problem comes with a shutdown,» said Representative Drew Ferguson.
Congress is in its third fiscal standoff this year, following a months-long
Read more on investing.com
