The future of a $1.2 trillion government spending package remains uncertain as the House of Representatives gears up for a crucial vote. The 1,012-page bill was unveiled by Congressional leaders in the early hours of Thursday, leaving less than 48 hours before the looming midnight Friday government funding deadline. To avert a partial government shutdown, the package must navigate through the House and Senate, ultimately landing on President Biden's desk for approval.
While there is optimism that the package will secure passage, the margin is expected to be tight, according to sources within the GOP. Notably, conservative groups such as FreedomWorks and Americans for Tax Reform, industry associations, veterans' organizations like With Honor Action, and pro-Israel groups have thrown their support behind the bipartisan deal.
However, a setback emerged when a key negotiator announced his intention to vote against the bill on the House floor. Rep. Robert Aderholt, R-Ala., expressed concerns over the inclusion of certain funding priorities by Democratic senators, including allocations for LGBTQ centers and facilities offering late-term abortions. Aderholt criticized the Senate for deviating from the House's original legislation and raised objections to funding social services for undocumented immigrants and facilities providing abortion services.
Furthermore, the ultra-conservative House Freedom Caucus has voiced opposition to the bill, accusing House GOP leadership of failing to secure conservative wins. Members of the caucus held a press conference lambasting the deal and suggesting that the outcome of the vote could influence the selection of the next House Speaker.
The spending package constitutes approximately 70% of discretionary government spending, covering vital areas such as the Department of Defense, Homeland Security, Education, Health & Human Services, and the legislative branch. This bill is one of twelve that Congress must pass annually to fund the government, with six others totaling around $460 billion already approved earlier this month.
