House Passes Short-Term Funding Bill

The U.S. House has successfully passed a short-term funding bill, avoiding a government shutdown ahead of the October 1 deadline, with a vote of 341-82. House Speaker Mike Johnson had to pivot to a procedural method requiring significant Democratic support due to opposition from conservative Republicans within his party. The bill will fund the government through December 20 and was previously at risk of being blocked after an initial attempt to include stricter voting measures failed. Critics, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, argue that the GOP's reliance on Democrats reflects a breakdown in internal party unity. Some Republicans, frustrated by the lack of spending cuts in the bill, have publicly expressed their opposition to the current strategy. The measure is set to move to the Senate for further consideration.