Update – 6:25 p.m. Eastern:
Following the passage of the CR in the House, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) gave brief remarks to the press, noting that he spoke to both President-elect Donald Trump and Elon Musk shortly before the vote.
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Regarding Trump, Johnson said, “He knew exactly what we were doing and why, and this is a good outcome for the country. I think he certainly is happy about this outcome as well.”
Regarding Musk, Johnson said:
“We talked…about an hour ago, and we talked about the extraordinary challenges of this job. And I said, ‘Hey, you wanna be Speaker of the House? I don’t know.’ He said, ‘This may be the hardest job in the world.’ I think it is. But we’re going to get through this. We are going to unify this country, and we are going to bring the America First agenda to the people beginning in January. We cannot wait to get started.”
Speaker Mike Johnson is happy The bill has passed and says that he spoke to President Trump and to Elon Musk. Who do you notice listening in the background? pic.twitter.com/67SCqqCoJ4
— Karli Bonne’ 🇺🇸 (@KarluskaP) December 20, 2024
Update – 6:00 p.m. Eastern:
The House has now passed the “Plan C” CR, with a total vote of 366 to 34, with one voting “present.” The 34 nay votes were Republicans. All Democrats voted in favor of it, save for the one who voted “present.”
Shortly before the vote, Elon Musk weighed in on the latest developments on X:
The Speaker did a good job here, given the circumstances.
It went from a bill that weighed pounds to a bill that weighed ounces.
Ball should now be in the Dem court. https://t.co/KnSwLEjvjd
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 20, 2024
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The Speaker did a good job here, given the circumstances.
It went from a bill that weighed pounds to a bill that weighed ounces.
Ball should now be in the Dem court.
The measure will now move onto the Senate, where, given the latest developments, it appears it will likely pass.
Update – 4:50 p.m. Eastern:
The House is expected to vote on a new continuing resolution between 5:00 and 5:30 p.m. Eastern.
House to vote on combo bill to avert a shutdown shortly. Here is the new text. is 118 pages. https://t.co/wr8vR88kMp
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) December 20, 2024
The new CR is 118 pages, will fund the government through March, and includes disaster relief and farm aid but does not include a provision regarding the debt ceiling.
This will be a suspension vote, requiring two-thirds approval, so buy-in from Democrats will be necessary to its passage.
Update – 2:25 p.m. Eastern:
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) emerged from the Republican conference meeting with news that they have reached a deal that means there will not be a government shutdown.
He specifically referenced:
“…for the disaster victims all over the country and for making sure that military and essential services and everyone who relies upon the federal government for a paycheck is paid over the holidays. I’ll give you more details here in just a few moments.”
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Per additional reports, this will involve just one vote — on the bill that failed Thursday, minus the debt ceiling limit — and it will be under suspension (thus requiring a two-thirds majority), so as to get it done today.
UPDATE — just ONE VOTE
the bill that failed last night — without debt limit.
Vote this afternoon. https://t.co/wqEtpfTMkp
— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) December 20, 2024
We’ll provide additional details as they become available.
Original story:
There are multiple moving pieces and it’s very much a fluid situation, but the latest reporting from Capitol Hill is that House Republicans have landed on a “Plan C” to fund the government and attempt to avert a shutdown.
Here are the basics:
Two people familiar with discussions told Fox News Digital that the deal would include a short-term extension of this year’s federal funding levels, disaster aid funding, and agricultural support for farmers – but under three separate bills.
It would also include a handshake agreement to act on the debt limit next year as part of Republicans’ planned massive conservative policy overhaul via a process called reconciliation.
As of this writing, House Republicans are set to have a conference meeting at 12:30 p.m. Eastern.
Here’s some additional context:
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On House GOPs new 3 bill approach. What is to be determined is if they can get 2/3 for these bills. If so, they can go faster, treating each bill as a suspension. If not, they need a rule to bring the bills to the floor. That takes longer and likely elongates the process after…
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) December 20, 2024
On House GOPs new 3 bill approach. What is to be determined is if they can get 2/3 for these bills. If so, they can go faster, treating each bill as a suspension. If not, they need a rule to bring the bills to the floor. That takes longer and likely elongates the process after midnight, et. That would produce a government shutdown
And a bit more about the timing and procedure:
from me and @bresreports @MicaSoellnerDC
House Republicans will wait to make a decision on vote timing until after the 12:30 conference meeting.
If they can pass these bills on suspension, they can go today.
If they need a rule, they can try to start a new legislative day or…
— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) December 20, 2024
House Republicans will wait to make a decision on vote timing until after the 12:30 conference meeting.
If they can pass these bills on suspension, they can go today.
If they need a rule, they can try to start a new legislative day or wait until 12:01 a.m. tomorrow!
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Trump Tells Democrats ‘You Voted for a Shutdown, You’ll Get a Shutdown’
BREAKING: Second House CR Spending Bill Vote Fails. What Happens Next?
There’s no word yet from President-elect Donald Trump regarding the latest developments, but he did weigh in early Friday morning on the prospect of a shutdown:
If there is going to be a shutdown of government, let it begin now, under the Biden Administration, not after January 20th, under “TRUMP.” This is a Biden problem to solve, but if Republicans can help solve it, they will!
This is a developing story. RedState will continue to provide additional information as it becomes available.
