House Republican leaders are taking bold steps to pass a two-step stopgap government funding bill, employing a fast-track process that would require support from Democrats. This move comes in response to GOP opposition that threatened to derail the bill on a procedural vote, posing a challenge for Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) in his early tenure. However, it is likely to cause outrage among the Republican conference's right flank.

Late Monday night, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) issued a scheduling notice revealing that the continuing resolution (CR) would be brought up under the suspension of rules on Tuesday. This procedure necessitates approval from two-thirds of the House to pass, thereby preventing a government shutdown after Friday.

By bypassing a procedural "rule" vote, which traditionally passes along party lines and serves as a measure of party unity, Republican leaders can avoid taking a stand on spending cuts or key conservative policy reforms. Several Republicans expressed frustration that the bill did not include these provisions, prompting them to threaten opposition to the rule. Their main concern was that the absence of such measures would prevent a vote on the final passage of the legislation.

Given the narrow majority in the House GOP, leaders can only afford to lose three Republican votes on any party-line issue, assuming everyone in attendance. However, many more than that have signaled their opposition to the CR.

Under the proposed continuing resolution, part of the government's funding would expire on January 19, with the remaining funds running out on February 2. Speaker Johnson argues that this two-step approach is necessary to prevent the Senate from pushing through a massive omnibus funding package. He believes it will allow Congress more time to negotiate on fiscal year 2024 funding.

On the Democratic side, leaders have not yet confirmed whether they will support the bill but have hinted at the possibility. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) stated on Monday that Democrats had "zero intention to vote for the rule." Republican leadership is left with the options of either convincing GOP holdouts to support the rule or seeking wide cooperation from Democrats.

In a "Dear Colleague" letter, Jeffries, Minority Whip Katherine Clark (D-Mass.), and Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.) expressed concerns about the two-step proposal but did not outright oppose it. They indicated that they were carefully evaluating the bill.

Despite their skepticism, there is little in the bill for Democrats to oppose since it omits certain provisions they had hoped for, such as aid to Ukraine and Israel. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) also expressed satisfaction that Speaker Johnson was advancing a stopgap measure without spending cuts.

With a slim House GOP majority of 221 Republicans and 213 Democrats, achieving the two-thirds threshold and passing the bill under suspension would require the support of dozens of Democrats, likely over 80 when accounting for GOP defections.

This tactic is already facing strong backlash from hardline conservatives. Representative Chip Roy (R-Texas) voiced his concerns, warning that if his vote is ignored when it is not needed, it may not be there when it is required. Roy was among the Republicans who indicated they would vote against the stopgap's rule.

The move to pass the bill under suspension is reminiscent of the circumstances that led to the ousting of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) in October. McCarthy's attempt to pass a "clean" CR with the help of Democrats on the last government funding deadline day provoked Representative Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) to make a motion to remove him from the Speakership. Seven other Republicans joined Gaetz and all Democrats in taking away McCarthy's gavel.

The actions of these eight Republicans have prompted criticism from a senior House GOP aide, who questioned their efforts. The aide commented, "The Gaetz 8 wasted 3 weeks of floor time on appropriations, for what? To get a Speaker who works with Dems to continue Pelosi's omnibus? Are they going to vacate Johnson too?"

As the House Republican leaders forge ahead with their two-step stopgap funding bill, all eyes are now on whether they can secure enough votes, both within their own party and from across the aisle, to pass the legislation and avert a government shutdown.