House Speaker Johnson Proposes Short-Term Funding Plan

House Speaker Mike Johnson has outlined a plan to potentially extend the government funding deadline into early 2025, coinciding with the beginning of President-elect Donald Trump’s second term. This strategy, discussed on 'Fox News Sunday,' would allow a Republican-controlled Congress to shape the budget with more influence, as they will have control of both the Senate and the House. The current deadline for government funding is December 20, 2023, which, if not met, could lead to a temporary measure extending into next year. Johnson argues this delay would be beneficial as it would grant Republicans more leverage over federal spending priorities, likely including tax cuts and agency budget reductions. Not all Republicans agree with this approach, preferring to resolve funding issues before Trump’s term begins to avoid early legislative gridlock. The decision on whether to proceed with a short-term funding bill or a full-year budget will be significantly influenced by Trump's preferences.