The House of Representatives is set to vote on a stopgap funding bill designed to keep the federal government fully funded through early December, a move that would eliminate the possibility of a shutdown before the midterm elections. House Speaker Mike Johnson announced the floor vote as he prepared to open the chamber for business.
Speaker Johnson pushes for bipartisan support
“The first thing is we’ve got to make sure this government gets funded and we don’t have another Democratic shutdown,” Johnson told reporters, emphasizing the urgency of the measure. The short-term funding bill underwent significant changes in the Senate, making it more palatable to Democrats and increasing its chances of passage.
The revised bill delays a proposed rule from the Office of Management and Budget that would give political appointees more power over the distribution of federal grants. It also includes language to ensure the administration cannot transfer funds to the Border Patrol, addressing Democratic concerns about executive overreach.
Controversial hemp provision sparks GOP criticism
However, a provision that delays for one month a federal ban on intoxicating hemp THC products has drawn criticism from many GOP lawmakers. Despite this opposition, GOP leaders are likely to place the bill on a fast-track process that avoids a separate procedural vote, bypassing any Republican efforts to block or stall the legislation.
Suspension bills require a two-thirds vote to pass, meaning a significant number of members from both parties must support the measure for it to advance to President Trump’s desk. The funding vote is expected to take place later today.
Supreme Court allows Trump ballroom project
In other developments, the Supreme Court allowed Donald Trump to continue building his $400m White House ballroom project. In a 5-4 decision along political lines, the justices found that a group issuing a legal challenge against the ballroom did not have standing to bring their case. Trump celebrated the ruling with a post on his Truth Social platform, while Democrats criticized the decision.
Military and international news
Army Secretary Dan Driscoll is stepping down from his role after 18 months on the job, leaving another top military position vacant. Driscoll and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had reportedly butted heads for some time, according to sources familiar with the situation.
Trump also vowed further strikes on Iran, calling it a “failed nation.” The remarks came as Washington and Tehran exchanged their first military strikes in a month, escalating tensions between the two countries.
JD Vance gave a speech in Michigan that included an attack against Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed. “There’s something about Abdul El-Sayed that is very, very evil,” Vance told the crowd, drawing sharp reactions from the audience.
Trade dispute and state election controversy
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent accused Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney of turning their trade dispute into a “political shouting match.” Carney had rejected the Trump administration’s terms that would have given the US government extensive power over Canada’s trade policy, leading to the stalemate.
California Governor Gavin Newsom vowed to block the appointment of election denier Tina Peters, who was convicted in 2024 in relation to a plot to chase pro-Trump election conspiracies. Newsom announced he would take measures to prevent Peters from working as an election consultant for Northern California’s Shasta county, a move that could set up a legal battle.
