House Republicans advance stopgap government funding bill

The Republican-backed continuing resolution to extend funding for most government agencies through September passed with a vote of 217-213 Tuesday evening. The vote largely broke down along party lines, with all but one Republican, Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, voting for the bill, and all but one Democrat, Rep. Jared Golden of Maine, voting against it. Two other representatives—one from each party—did not vote.

What does the bill accomplish? The bill would essentially keep some government agencies from shutting their doors Friday in the absence of a funding extension. The bill would fund federal agencies through September, while also extending several expiring government programs and authorities such as Medicare and Medicaid.

What happens next? The measure now moves to the Senate, where it will require bipartisan support to become law. Due to a 60-vote threshold, the Republicans' scant majority of 53, and the opposition of Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., the support of at least eight Democrats is needed to pass the bill. If it passes the Senate, it will proceed to President Trump’s desk for signature.

Dig deeper: Read Christina Grube’s report about President Donald Trump’s address to Congress last week.