URGENT UPDATE: President Donald Trump is set to meet with Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro while a crucial vote looms in the House of Representatives today regarding the ongoing government shutdown. This pivotal moment comes as House Speaker Mike Johnson faces immense pressure from within his party to secure enough votes to reopen the government before the deadline.
The House is expected to hold critical votes on a must-pass funding package today. Current reports indicate that Speaker Johnson has a narrow path to success, with Republicans divided and no Democratic support anticipated. The Senate-passed bill aims to fund much of the federal government through the end of September 30, 2023, but it includes only a temporary two-week allocation for the Department of Homeland Security.
Trump has expressed optimism about a potential resolution, stating from the Oval Office yesterday, “I think they’re pretty close to a resolution.” He highlighted discussions with Johnson and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer as signs of progress. However, with only a single Republican vote to spare, the stakes are high for GOP leaders.
The tension escalates as a group of conservatives, led by Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, threatens to block the funding bill unless their proposal for stricter voting restrictions, including proof of citizenship, is included. Despite this, Trump emphasized his preference for advancing the funding bill without amendments to avoid “another long, pointless, and destructive shutdown.”
In a turnaround, by Monday night, Luna and fellow hardliner Rep. Tim Burchett of Tennessee indicated they might support the bill after a meeting with Trump. This shift could signal a pathway to prevent a prolonged government shutdown, although lingering concerns among other GOP members remain.
As the deadline approaches, Congress appears to be inching closer to a solution, but the outcome of today’s vote is critical. With the clock ticking, all eyes are on the House as they stand on the brink of a decision that will impact millions of Americans reliant on federal services.
Stay tuned for real-time updates as this developing story unfolds.
