Johnson Proposes Short-Term Funding Bill to Avoid Shutdown, Buying Time for Long-Term Budget Deal

New Speaker Mike Johnson has proposed a short-term funding bill to avoid a government shutdown that even far-right lawmakers seem willing to support.

Conservatives like Reps. Gaetz and Burchett suggest they are open to a temporary "bridge" funding bill to give Johnson time to pursue individual spending bills.

Johnson wants any stopgap to expire in mid-January or mid-April to force Senate action on spending bills rather than an omnibus.

Some conservatives say they won't support a "clean" continuing resolution but won't blame Johnson for needing more time on appropriations.

Democrats like Rep. Neal say they could back a short-term bill to ease tensions if it leads to a full-year funding deal to avoid automatic cuts.