Republicans Release 7-Week Spending Bill as Democrats Warn of Potential Shutdown
In a move aimed at averting a government shutdown, House Republicans unveiled a seven-week spending bill on September 16, 2025, just two weeks before the current funding deadline. The legislation, which extends current funding levels for federal agencies through November 21, has sparked concerns among Democrats who warn that it may not be enough to prevent a shutdown.
According to Republican leaders in the House, the stopgap bill includes an additional $58 million to boost security for the federal judiciary and executive branch officials, following a request from the White House. Furthermore, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., added another $30 million to increase resources that lawmakers can use for their own security.
"We're giving ourselves more time to come to agreement on a year-long spending bill," Johnson told reporters on Tuesday. "This is not a long-term solution, but it's a necessary step to keep the government running."
The move comes as Congress faces a September 30 deadline to pass a new budget or risk a partial government shutdown. Democrats have expressed concerns that the Republican-led legislation does not address their priorities and may lead to a shutdown.
"We're willing to work with Republicans to find common ground, but this bill is not a serious effort at compromise," said House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y. "We need a comprehensive spending bill that addresses the needs of our constituents, not just a short-term fix."
The global community is watching the developments in Washington closely, as government shutdowns can have far-reaching consequences for international relations and economic stability.
In 2018, a 35-day government shutdown resulted in significant losses to the US economy, with some estimates suggesting that it cost around $11 billion. A similar scenario could have devastating effects on global markets and trade agreements.
The European Union has expressed concerns about the potential impact of a US government shutdown on transatlantic relations and economic cooperation. "We are closely following the developments in Washington and hope that a solution can be found to avoid a shutdown," said a spokesperson for the EU Commission.
As the clock ticks down, lawmakers will need to work together to find a solution that addresses the needs of all parties involved. The fate of the seven-week spending bill remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: a government shutdown would have far-reaching consequences for both domestic and international communities.
Background: The current budget deadline was set in March 2025, when Congress passed a continuing resolution to fund the government through September 30. Since then, lawmakers have been working on a year-long spending bill, but negotiations have stalled over disagreements on funding priorities.
Additional Perspectives:
"A government shutdown would be a disaster for our economy and international relations," said Senator Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass. "We need to work together to find a solution that addresses the needs of all parties involved."
"The Republican-led legislation is a short-term fix that does not address the underlying issues facing our country," said Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y.
Current Status: The seven-week spending bill has been introduced in the House and will need to pass both chambers before being sent to President Biden for signature. Democrats have expressed concerns about the bill's prospects, but Republican leaders remain optimistic that it can pass with bipartisan support.
Next Developments: Lawmakers will continue to work on a year-long spending bill, with negotiations expected to intensify in the coming days. A government shutdown remains a possibility if a solution is not found by September 30.
*Reporting by Npr.*
