Speaker Mike Johnson has informed reporters that the House will vote on a government financing bill on Friday morning.
“We are anticipating votes this morning. So, keep tuned. “We’ve got a plan,” he explained.
When asked if they had achieved a new arrangement, he replied: “We’ll see.” While no decision has been taken, numerous members claim they are discussing passing a short-term stopgap that would only extend financing until mid-January. That would prevent a shutdown and allow lawmakers to return home for the holidays, though they would face the same issues in the new year.
According to two Republicans, negotiations about a short-term funding patch possibility involve pushing a separate disaster aid package that is comparable, if not identical, to the $110 billion one Republicans negotiated with Democrats in the first stopgap agreement.
However, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) informed a group of reporters outside the speaker’s office that the bill they intend to introduce will likely be similar to the Donald Trump-backed one that failed on the House floor by a large majority Thursday evening. She stated the vote was scheduled for 10 a.m.
“I think we’re very close to a deal,” she added, adding that it’s “very similar to President Trump’s plan yesterday.”
Johnson and House conservatives are huddled in his office Friday morning, as the federal shutdown deadline approaches in less than 24 hours. Separately, House Democrats plan to hold a closed-door meeting later in the morning while they wait to see what happens next.