Washington D.C. – The House of Representatives has passed a stopgap bill to fund the government through the end of September, aiming to prevent a shutdown after the looming Friday deadline. The bill, which will now move to the Senate, has sparked a contentious debate among lawmakers, particularly highlighting the stark divisions between Democrats and Republicans on key budgetary issues.

House GOP leaders are currently working to garner support from their party members to ensure swift passage in the Senate. The measure includes an increase in defense spending by $6 billion compared to the previous fiscal year, while nondefense spending would see a reduction of $13 billion. Despite Republican claims of a clean continuing resolution with no partisan elements, Democrats have raised concerns about potential executive overreach by President Donald Trump and businessman Elon Musk under the proposed bill.

If Congress fails to extend funding for federal agencies, nearly 900,000 government employees could face furloughs without pay, with an additional 1.4 million required to work without compensation. The bill aims to maintain core federal services without increasing overall spending, according to the House Appropriations Committee.

Furthermore, the legislation prioritizes funding for veterans’ health care services and benefits, with additional investments in defense and a significant pay raise for junior enlisted troops. It also includes provisions to support federal wildland firefighters, increase funding for air traffic control systems, and boost nutrition assistance programs for vulnerable populations.

However, Democratic lawmakers have criticized the bill for its lack of specific funding directives for various programs and priorities. They argue that the continuing resolution could provide excessive flexibility to the Trump administration in reshaping spending priorities and eliminating longstanding programs.

Additionally, the legislation has faced scrutiny for reducing support in critical areas such as disaster relief funding, veterans’ facility construction, election security grants, and rural broadband initiatives. Lawmakers have expressed concerns about potential adverse impacts on public safety, education, and economic growth priorities if the bill is passed.

Ultimately, the bill’s fate remains uncertain as it heads to the Senate for further deliberation, with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle expressing divergent views on the best path forward for funding the government through the fiscal year.