House Rules Committee Advances Government Funding Bill to Floor

Trump has called for Republicans to pass the legislation.

The U.S. Capitol building in Washington on March 10, 2025. Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times

WASHINGTON—The House Rules Committee, which determines how bills will be considered on the House floor, has voted to advance a bill that would avoid a shutdown of the federal government scheduled for March 14.

The vote to advance the bill, known as a continuing resolution, was 9-3.

The 99-page measure will cover the remainder of the fiscal year until Sept. 30. It includes $892.5 billion in defense spending and $708 billion in non-defense spending—a $6.5 billion increase and 8 percent decrease from current levels, respectively.

President Donald Trump has called for Republicans to pass the legislation.

“All Republicans should vote (Please!) YES next week,” he posted on Truth Social on March 8.

The Rules Committee is a key forum in the House that allows bills to be passed.

Under the House’s formal rules, a bill’s consideration on the floor would be subject to procedural roadblocks by its opponents—such as hostile amendments, points of order, and other motions. By contrast, most controversial legislation is considered by passing an ad hoc amendment to the Rules of Procedure, which is possible with a simple majority, that waives any objections and allows for limited consideration of amendments. The Rules Committee oversees this process.

Normally, continuing resolutions merely extend funding levels of the previous fiscal year, though they may include some urgent policy items that are uncontroversial.

While continuing resolutions in most cases attract bipartisan support, due to the political toxicity of a government shutdown, the temporary bill under consideration has been opposed by the House Democratic caucus.

“The partisan House Republican funding bill recklessly cuts healthcare, nutritional assistance and $23 billion in veterans’ benefits,” wrote House Democratic leadership in a statement published by the office of Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.).

It remains unclear whether the bill can pass the House in a floor vote. Assuming all House Democrats vote against it, Republicans can only afford to lose one of its members, since 217 votes are required for passage in the presently-432-member body.

One Republican, Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) has announced that he will vote against the bill.

Every fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1, Congress must enact legislation that releases money from the Treasury to various departments and agencies to ensure they may function.

Congress has already passed two temporary funding bills since September of last year to avoid shutdowns.