**House Approves Short-Term Funding Bill with Bipartisan Support**

In a significant move to avert a government shutdown, the House of Representatives has passed a bipartisan bill to fund federal programs until December 20. This legislation, which garnered strong support across party lines, delays the contentious debate over the full-year funding levels of federal programs until after the elections. Without this interim measure, government agencies would have run out of funds by September 30.

The measure now heads to the Senate, which is expected to approve it swiftly and send it to the president for his signature, ensuring it is enacted well before the looming deadline. House Speaker Mike Johnson, navigating criticism from far-right colleagues, had to rely on Democratic votes to secure the two-thirds majority needed for passage. Some GOP hardliners criticized Johnson's reliance on a short-term funding solution that maintains current spending levels, advocating instead for significant budget cuts.

The continuing resolution (CR) is designed to maintain consistent funding across most federal programs through December 20. Importantly, it includes a $231 million increase in funding for the U.S. Secret Service, a move prompted by recent assassination attempts on former President Donald Trump. This boost comes from reallocation within the existing budget rather than an overall increase in expenditure.

The divide within the House Republican ranks over funding strategies has been a constant issue since the GOP gained control of the House in the 2022 midterms. While some Republicans demand deep cuts to domestic programs and the addition of partisan policy measures, others, especially those in competitive districts, emphasize the necessity of demonstrating effective governance. This internal conflict previously led to the historic ousting of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy after he collaborated with Democrats on a spending bill in an earlier shutdown scenario. However, Speaker Johnson faces no such threats of removal over the current short-term bill.

Despite opposition from figures like Texas Republican Chip Roy, who derided the move as merely "kicking the can down the road," House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries highlighted Democratic efforts in supporting the bill to ensure government continuity. "House Democrats have repeatedly governed in the minority as if we were in the majority to meet the needs of the American people," Jeffries stated.

This bipartisan effort comes after conservative House Republicans dismantled Johnson's previous six-month spending proposal, which included a controversial provision requiring proof of citizenship for voter registration. Although non-citizens are already prohibited from voting, this measure was pushed by GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump, who even suggested a government shutdown to force Democratic agreement.

In light of the looming deadlines and political stakes, Johnson emphasized the importance of avoiding a shutdown, labeling it as "political malpractice." Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer also urged House Republicans to avoid being swayed by hard-right influences that have previously led to governmental gridlocks.

As December 20 approaches, Speaker Johnson has assured that there will be no omnibus spending package that consolidates all the individual funding bills—a common practice when consensus on individual bills fails. House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole expressed optimism that deals on various bills could be struck in the upcoming lame-duck session, acknowledging, however, that much will depend on the post-election political landscape.