Title: House Passes $460 Billion Spending Package to Avoid Government Shutdown

In a bid to keep federal agencies running smoothly for the rest of the budget year, the House of Representatives passed a $460 billion package of spending bills on Wednesday. The legislation, which must be approved by the Senate before a midnight Friday shutdown deadline, aims to ensure the smooth flow of funds to key government entities.

Lawmakers are currently engaged in negotiations for a second package of six bills, including defense, in an effort to fully fund all federal agencies before the March 22 deadline. The projected total discretionary spending for the entire year is estimated to be around $1.66 trillion.

Despite staunch opposition from a significant number of House Republicans, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., utilized an expedited process to bring the bill up for a vote. This process necessitated a two-thirds majority in favor of the measure, which was ultimately achieved, with the House passing the measure by a vote of 339-85.

Supporters of the spending package argue that the nondefense spending remains relatively flat compared to the previous year, with spending held below the inflation rate. They contend that such measures force agencies to be more frugal and prioritize their core responsibilities. Johnson highlighted specific cuts, including a 10% reduction to the Environmental Protection Agency, a 7% cut to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and a 6% decrease to the FBI.

However, many Republican lawmakers pushed for deeper cuts and more policy victories. The House Freedom Caucus, comprised of conservative GOP members, urged Republicans to vote against the first spending package and oppose the second one being negotiated. The group argued that the current omnibus text did not address key Republican priorities.

In response, Johnson emphasized the political reality of the situation, noting the slim majority held by House Republicans compared to Democratic control of the Senate and White House. He acknowledged the need for realism in achieving legislative goals.

Democrats successfully fended off most of the policy riders sought by House Republicans. For example, they managed to defeat attempts to block new rules expanding access to the abortion pill mifepristone. On the other hand, the bill will fully fund the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program, providing approximately $7 billion, a $1 billion increase from the previous year.

During negotiations, House Republicans sought to enable certain states to prohibit the purchase of non-nutritious items in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Although unsuccessful for now, supporters of the provision pledged to revisit the issue in next year's spending bills.

While the bill did not satisfy all Republican demands, it did include some policy wins for the party. For instance, it prevents the sale of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to China and mandates that the Justice Department refrain from investigating parents who exercise free speech at local school board meetings. Another provision strengthens gun rights for certain veterans, drawing criticism from top Democrat on the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, Representative Mark Takano.

The spending bills to fund federal agencies are now more than five months overdue, with the budget year having commenced on October 1. House Republicans have touted an improved process, breaking the cycle of passing all the spending bills as one massive package, allowing lawmakers more time to review them before voting. However, critics, including Representative Scott Perry, R-Pa., remain skeptical about the significance of these changes.

The first spending package covers departments such as Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, Interior, and Transportation. Democrats overwhelmingly supported the bill, with 207 votes in favor and only two against it. Among Republicans, the vote was 132-83.

House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries hailed the passage of the bill, emphasizing the tremendous support from Democrats in getting the job done. Representative Kevin Hern, R-Okla., however, voiced his opposition, citing the need to control spending and the loss of leverage.

The fate of the spending package now rests with the Senate, which must act swiftly to prevent a government shutdown before the Friday deadline.