In a critical move, the House of Representatives successfully passed the remaining six appropriations bills for fiscal year 2024 on Friday morning. This sets up a challenging task for the Senate, as they must now vote on the package before a midnight deadline to avert a partial government shutdown.

The $1.2 trillion package encompasses various sectors, including defense, homeland security, financial services and general government, labor-HHS, the legislative branch, and state-foreign operations. If approved by the Senate, these bills will fund the federal government until the end of the fiscal year on September 30.

To secure passage, the bills required two-thirds support. Ultimately, the final vote tallied at 286-134, demonstrating a close margin that gave rise to concerns within GOP leadership. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Georgia Republican, even filed a motion to remove House Speaker Mike Johnson from his position, potentially leading to significant consequences for the speaker.

There were indications on Thursday night that the vote might be tighter than anticipated by GOP leadership. Representative Robert Aderholt, who chairs the Labor-HHS subcommittee, expressed his intention to vote against the package due to earmarks inserted by senators from both sides of the aisle. Aderholt stated that the Senate had taken liberties with their Congressionally Directed Spending requests that would not have been approved in the House.

Disappointment was voiced by Republican members over the package's perceived failure to address concerns regarding the strengthening of the Southern border. They also criticized the short window between the release of the 1000+ page text early Thursday morning and Friday's scheduled vote. However, Representative Ken Calvert, the California Republican who chairs the appropriations subcommittee on defense, urged colleagues to vote in favor of the package, highlighting the potential risks of not passing it.

Representative Rosa DeLauro, the ranking member of the appropriations subcommittee on labor, health and human services, and education, defended the package as a compromise. She acknowledged that it may not satisfy all demands from either side, but highlighted the rejection of extreme cuts and proposed policies put forth by House Republicans.

DeLauro drew attention to the historic nature of negotiations on government funding, involving four women in leadership roles: herself, Representative Kay Granger of Texas, Senator Susan Collins of Maine, and Senator Patty Murray of Washington.

Both Republicans and Democrats secured victories within the package. Republicans celebrated an increase in the number of ICE detention beds and border agents, as well as cutting funding to NGOs. Additionally, they highlighted provisions preventing the Consumer Product Safety Commission from banning gas stoves and restricting diplomatic facilities from flying non-official U.S. flags.

Democrats praised the inclusion of a $1 billion increase for childcare and early learning programs, including a significant allocation of $12 billion for the Head Start program.

Another provision in the spotlight is the measure suspending funding for UNWRA, the United Nations Agency aiding Palestinians, until March 2025. This decision follows allegations by Israel that a dozen UNWRA staffers participated in Hamas' attack on Israel in October.

Meanwhile, House Speaker Mike Johnson faces mounting challenges within his own conference. Representative Greene's motion to remove Johnson, though not privileged under House rules, raises uncertainties about its potential for a future vote. Johnson already presides over a narrow one-vote majority, which was further weakened by the resignation of Colorado GOP Representative Ken Buck on Friday.

Freedom Caucus Chair Bob Good conveyed his criticism of Johnson for bringing the package to the floor for a vote, implicating him on the issue. Good refrained from discussing personnel matters within GOP leadership but emphasized his inability to defend the speaker.

Looking ahead, Johnson's position is set to face even greater obstacles next month when the House debates funding for Ukraine, an issue that has created divisions among his conference.