House Files Three-Month Government Funding Patch

House leadership officially filed a three-month continuing resolution (CR) that would, among other things, keep the government funded until March 14, 2025. In addition to addressing several expiring programs, the 1,500+ page legislation also includes:

• Roughly $100 billion in disaster relief aid, including $29 billion for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Disaster Relief Fund;
• A sweeping health care extender package that includes key Medicare, Medicaid, and public health initiatives;
• A series of China-related bills, including legislation to restrict U.S. outbound investment in sensitive technologies;
• A five-year reauthorization of the Older Americans Act (OAA);
• A six-year reauthorization of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA);
• Economic assistance for farmers alongside a one-year extension of the Farm Bill;
• An extension of the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) counter-drone authority through the length of the CR, and more.

Context & Next Steps. The House is currently on track to vote on the CR tomorrow at a time to be determined. It is likely that Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) will need the support from Democrats on the floor to get it across the finish line, as several Republican lawmakers have expressed opposition around the size and scope of this year-end package. However, it is unclear whether Speaker Johnson has the numbers on the GOP side to meet the two-thirds majority needed for expedited passage in the House. As such, House Republican leadership may need to bring it up under “regular order” and potentially rely on Democratic votes in the House Rules Committee to circumvent opposition from Reps. Chip Roy (R-TX), Thomas Massie (R-KY), and Ralph Norman (R-SC) — each of whom have indicated they may vote no.