On Capitol Hill, the House has voted to approve a funding bill to avert a potential government shutdown this weekend, though a new deadline is on the horizon. Republican lawmakers are also trying to pass a border plan and are getting surprise support from a Senate Democrat who's made a lot of news lately.
House Speaker Mike Johnson pledged no more Band-Aid spending bills. But here we are. The appropriations process is described as ugly, with Congress struggling to keep the government running while facing challenges on border security. The GOP is pushing its strict H.R. 2 border plan, which includes freezing migration, restricting asylum claims, and allowing the government to crack down on those here illegally.
Despite concerns about the small majority, one Democrat has expressed support for much of the GOP plan, with the condition of protecting DACA. This conditional embrace has been welcomed by conservatives, who emphasize the importance of securing the border in any funding bill to avoid a government shutdown.
The emergency spending measure has set new deadlines, providing Congress with additional time to finalize bills that were due last September. The process has been criticized for its lack of transparency, with some members expressing frustration over the closed-door negotiations that often lead to last-minute decisions.
The GOP-controlled House approved the interim bill with a significant margin, although more Democrats than Republicans voted in favor. The Senate is expected to align with the House in a vote tonight, potentially averting another shutdown next week.
In other news, Alabama freshman Katie Britt has been selected to deliver the Republican response to the president's State of the Union speech. At 42, she is the youngest female Republican ever elected to the Senate. This decision is seen as a strategic move by the GOP to contrast Britt's youth with President Biden and possibly position her as a potential running mate for former President Trump.
