House passes temporary plan to avoid a catastrophic government shutdown heading into holidays: Recap

WASHINGTON — Bipartisan House lawmakers approved newly minted House Speaker Mike Johnson’s proposal to avoid a government shutdown − his first major test as the lower chamber’s leader.

Johnson pushed a two-tiered, short-term measure to fund the government, referred to as a “laddered” continuing resolution, until deadlines in January and February. It's an unusual approach compared to previous stopgap bills, which extended all government functions until one deadline.

A handful of ultraconservative GOP lawmakers said they would vote against the continuing resolution, which is called “clean” because it keeps government funding at current levels.

But a swell of Democrats supported the plan, ensuring its passage. While Democrats had reservations about the “laddered” approach, the bill included no spending cuts that conservatives demanded.

Catch up with USA TODAY's coverage as lawmakers work to avert a government shutdown.

What happens next?

The stopgap measure will now head to the Senate floor where leadership on both sides have indicated they will support it.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said Tuesday he plans to bring the continuing resolution to the Senate floor “as soon as possible.” He said the proposal includes provisions Democrats have pushed for: Averting a shutdown without including Republican-backed cuts to federal programs.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., has also indicated he will support the stopgap measure when it comes to the Senate floor.

– Rachel Looker 

House passes continuing resolution, lowering government shutdown odds

The House approved the short-term stopgap measure to fund the government and avert a shutdown, kicking the can down the road once again for Congress to pass a longer-term deal to keep the government’s doors open.

The stopgap bill led by newly installed House Speaker Johnson – referred to as a continuing resolution – passed the lower chamber by an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote of 336-95..

Johnson, R-La., and House Republican Leadership have touted the continuing resolution as a conservative victory, but the bill, which was Johnson’s first major test of his speakership, didn’t sail through the House without a lot of heartache from its hard-right members who were adamant that any funding plan include spending cuts or conservative policy additions.

– Ken Tran

Vote delayed to consider amendments to budget bill

The continuing resolution vote was delayed to consider 10 amendments to the House budget bill covering the departments of Labor, Health and Human Services and Education. Most of the amendments will be given two minutes for a vote.

The House is expected to vote on the temporary funding measure shortly before 5:45 p.m.

– Riley Beggin

When was the last government shutdown?

The last government shutdown lasted from Dec. 22, 2018 to Jan. 25, 2019. Spanning 35 days, it was the longest government shutdown in U.S. history.

It was also the third federal shutdown to occur during the Trump administration; the first lasted three days in January 2018, and the second lasted only a few hours in February 2018.

−Olivia Munson

House Democratic leaders back Johnson's continuing resolution

House Democratic leadership issued a joint statement supporting Johnson’s funding plan to avert a government shutdown, saying it is “devoid of harmful cuts and free of extreme right-wing policy riders.”

While it was expected for Democrats to support the measure, the official statement significantly lowers the chances of a government shutdown. House Democrats have insisted any continuing resolution to extend government funding be “clean.”

The joint statement from House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark of Massachusetts, Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar of California and Vice Chair Ted Lieu of California added that “it is time for House Republicans to finally work the Democratic Caucus and the Senate” on the appropriation bills ahead to fund the government long-term.

– Ken Tran

Ultra-conservative House Freedom Caucus balks at plan to avoid a government shutdown

The House Freedom Caucus, a group of lawmakers that make up the House's right flank, vowed on Tuesday morning that they will not support Johnson's plan to temporarily avoid a government shutdown.

The measure "contains no spending reductions, no border security, and not a single meaningful win for the American People," the group said in a news release, adding "Republicans must stop negotiating against ourselves."

– Ken Tran and Marina Pitofsky

Government shutdown travel impact: Here's what to know

The deepest impact would not be on your flight or cruise.

Funding to agencies like the Federal Aviation Administration, Transportation Security Administration and Customs and Border Protection would be on hold. However, the agents who you typically interact with at airports and seaports, and the controllers who oversee your flights are considered essential and will be working without pay during the shutdown.

Impacts on those agencies have more to do with things like hiring and training. All the crucial safety functions like inspections and air traffic control continue.

Consular operations in the U.S. and internationally will also continue normally “as long as there are sufficient fees” collected to support them, according to the most recent guidance from the State Department. “This includes passports, visas, and assisting U.S. citizens abroad.”

There could be economic repercussions, though. A government shutdown is estimated to cost the country's travel economy as much as $140 million per day, according to an analysis for the U.S. Travel Association.

− Zach Wichter and Nathan Diller

What is a furlough?

Hundreds of thousands of federal employees would face furloughs if Congress can't avoid a government shutdown. But what is a furlough?

A furlough is a temporary leave of absence imposed by an employer, typically due to economic hardship, company expenses outpacing revenue or a lack of work. Affected employees are required to take time off work on a temporary basis, sometimes without pay.

Furloughs can come in the form of reduced hours of work per day, fewer days of work per week or month or no work at all for extended periods of time.

Furloughed employees are technically still employed and therefore do not qualify for things like severance pay but may be able to get temporary work elsewhere during their leave, depending on state rules and other policies.

– Mary Walrath-Holdridge

What happens during a government shutdown?

A government shutdown takes place when Congress is unable to pass a dozen annual spending bills that funnel money to government programs and agencies.

A shutdown is likely when both chambers in Congress − the House and Senate − can’t come to an agreement on how much money to allocate to certain agencies or agree on certain spending provisions, putting federal agencies at risk. A partial government shutdown can occur if Congress is able to pass any of the 12 individual spending bills.

When both chambers can't reach a compromise, funding levels expire and federal agencies must cease all non-essential function.

−Rachel Looker

What are the chances of a government shutdown? Senate Republicans welcome temporary spending plan, prepare to support it

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., praised Johnson's leadership as the funding extension appears likely to pass this afternoon with bipartisan support.

"It's nice to see us working together to end a government shutdown," he said. "I'm happy for him."

Asked what is the likelihood that Senate leaders will agree to bypass the right to a filibuster in order to approve the funding agreement quickly, GOP Whip Sen. John Thune of South Dakota said "there's a high level of interest in moving the process along" and indicated he thinks the measure will "pass fairly easily" in the Senate.

– Riley Beggin

Will mail be delivered in a government shutdown?

The Postal Service is an independent entity generally funded by the sale of its products and services − not tax dollars − and it will not be impacted by a government shutdown, USPS said in a statement. Because it's not impacted, employees will be paid normally.

"Postal Service operations will not be interrupted in the event of a government shutdown, and all Post Offices will remain open for business as usual," the statement said.

−Candy Woodall

When will the House vote today?

House lawmakers are expected to vote on the temporary plan to avoid a government shutdown at 4:15 p.m. on Tuesday.

It's not clear whether Johnson or other Republican leaders will be able to gather enough support to pass the bill without help from Democrats, who haven't publicly confirmed whether they'll vote for the measure.

– Marina Pitofsky

When would a government shutdown start?

The current government funding deadline is Nov. 17.

The original deadline was Sept. 30, but Congress kicked the can down the road with a continuing resolution. They extended funding to Nov. 17 in a bid to buy more time for lawmakers to pass a longer-term spending deal.

But time has run out for Congress to pass a more permanent deal by the November deadline, which is just three days away. That means members will have to kick the can down the road once again to avoid a shutdown.

– Ken Tran

Does Congress get paid during a government shutdown?

President Joe Biden and members of Congress will continue to work and get paid, but their staff members who aren’t considered “essential” will be furloughed. The Supreme Court will also stay open, but federal courts could have to scale back functionality.

But what does essential mean? Think employees such as air traffic controllers and law enforcement officers. U.S. embassies and consulates would likely stay open, and you should still be able to get a passport and visa.

If you’re planning a trip to Washington D.C. or a National Park, monuments and other areas will likely stay open. However, maintenance of those areas may be delayed or canceled altogether.

And as the holidays approach, a government shutdown also likely won't impact NORAD's beloved Santa Tracker.

– Marina Pitofsky

Will schools be affected by a government shutdown?

Most K-12 schools won't be immediately impacted by a government shutdown. While schools across the country do receive some federal funding, the vast majority of their budgets come from their state and local governments.

Schools that do use federal funding have mostly already received money for the 2023-2024 school year, Education Week reported.

But some programs for kids would be hit by a government shutdown. For example, Children from low-income families could lose access to Head Start preschool programs.

− Marina Pitofsky

Who is affected by a government shutdown?

If lawmakers can't reach a compromise to avoid a government shutdown, hundreds of thousands of federal employees will be furloughed as the government stops all work deemed "non-essential."

When it comes to essential services, such as air traffic control and law enforcement, those employees keep working but do not get paid until the shutdown is over.

Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid benefits would continue under a shutdown, but some food assistance programs could be delayed, or even see federal funding run out for Americans.

– Marina Pitofsky, Ken Tran

Would a government shutdown affect air travel and TSA?

Flights will likely not be affected by a shutdown and TSA screenings should proceed normally. Transportation Security Administration agents and air traffic controllers are considered essential and will continue working, though they won’t be paid.

However, during the 2019 shutdown, air traffic controllers started calling in sick at higher rates which might occur again this time around. The White House warned that a shutdown could risk delays for travelers.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg also said in a press conference that air traffic controller hiring and training would be paused, which would impact the Department of Transportation’s efforts to address a shortfall in staffing.

−Zach Wichter and Sudiksha Kochi

Republican Rep. Tim Burchett says former Speaker Kevin McCarthy elbowed him on Capitol Hill

Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., said former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., elbowed him in the back on Tuesday on Capitol Hill.

But the incident wasn't fueled by the looming government shutdown. Instead, Burchett said it may have been over his vote to oust McCarthy from his leadership post last month.

McCarthy told CNN that the hallway where he passed Burchett was tight, denying that he shoved or elbowed him.

– Marina Pitofsky and Ken Tran

What agencies are affected by a government shutdown?

All agencies could be affected by a government shutdown.

From the Department of Homeland Security to the Department of Agriculture, each agency will have a plan to stop its nonessential functions, and hundreds of thousands of federal employees will be furloughed.

Agencies also rely on each other during a shutdown. For example, the State Department’s U.S. Passport Agency will remain open during a government shutdown, so you should be able to get a passport if you need one. But if passport services are offered in a building near you that’s run by an agency that has shut down, you could have to look elsewhere.

– Marina Pitofsky

Progressive Democrat calls temporary spending plan a "very big win"

Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., Chair of the House Progressive Caucus, said "it's a very big win" that the funding extension doesn't include any cuts from 2023 levels.

Separating the extension into two tranches "makes no sense," she said, but it doesn't contain any conservative policies Democrats would immediately refuse, she said. Still, she plans to wait to hear from the rest of her caucus until she decides how she will vote on the measure.

– Riley Beggin

Republican rebel who voted to oust Kevin McCarthy says it was ‘worth it’

Conservative rebels ousted former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy R-Calif., in October in part because he worked with Democrats to avert a government shutdown with a clean continuing resolution.

But Johnson’s plan, which is also clean, noticeably hasn’t drawn the same vitriol that led to McCarthy’s removal from his post.

Rep. Eli Crane, one of the eight GOP members who voted to oust McCarthy, said he would not be supporting Johnson’s government funding plan but said removing McCarthy was still “worth it” because “at the very least, you have a leader that’s honest with you.”

Crane praised Johnson as “transparent” and said “that’s enough for me.” The new speaker, he said, gave him and his fellow hard-right colleagues reassurances that Johnson would still hear the conference’s right flank out on future legislative battles.

– Ken Tran

Will Social Security be paid during a government shutdown?

Social Security recipients will continue to receive checks in the event of a government shutdown and Medicare benefits will not be interrupted.

However, employees in the Social Security Administration are likely to be furloughed and government food assistance benefits could see delay.

A few services that are not directly related to Social Security payment benefits and direct-service operations would be temporarily suspended.

− Marina Pitofsky and Sudiksha Kochi

What does a government shutdown mean for Medicare?

Medicare benefits will continue, though there could be a delay in some payments.

The benefits are considered among essential services, along with U.S. mail delivery, air travel, Amtrak, Social Security payments and more.

– Candy Woodall

What was the longest government shutdown in U.S. history?

The longest government shutdown lasted for 35 days from late 2018 to early 2019 under the Trump administration. It went into effect after the House and Senate failed to reach a compromise on a short-term funding plan to keep the government running through early next year.

The critical issue was that Senate Democrats opposed President Donald Trump’s $5.7 billion request for building a wall on the southern border.

Before that, the longest government shutdown lasted from Dec. 5, 1995, to Jan. 6, 1996,  when Republican House Speaker Newt Gingrich and Democratic President Bill Clinton faced off over taxes.

- Sudiksha Kochi and John Fritze

Republican lawmakers undecided on spending plan: ‘I don’t like it, but I want to support the speaker’

Rep. Ronny Jackson, R-Texas., said he was still undecided about whether he would support Johnson’s continuing resolution because it lacks any spending cuts or conservative policy additions.

Jackson lamented Johnson’s difficult position as the new speaker to lead a fractious GOP conference against a Democratic-controlled Senate and White House, describing his support as a balancing act between rallying behind Johnson and pushing for conservative victories.

“I don’t like it but I want to support the speaker,” Jackson said, noting that he will have to figure out “how to make that work.”

“I want to give him a chance,” he said.

– Ken Tran

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer says he's 'heartened' by House Speaker Mike Johnson's effort – but cautiously

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., told didn't immediately criticize Johnson's push on Tuesday.

“Time is a luxury that neither side has,” he said in remarks on the Senate floor. “So far, I am heartened, cautiously so, that Speaker Johnson is moving forward with a CR (continuing resolution) that omits precisely the sort of hard right cuts that would have been non-starters for Democrats.”

But Schumer added that he hopes Johnson "does not yield to the demands of the hard right" during negotiations, including on spending cuts and other measures.

– Marina Pitofsky

Is the National Weather Service impacted in a shutdown?

Forecasts from the National Weather Service will continue uninterrupted despite the shutdown, a spokesperson told USA TODAY Friday. "Under a lapse of appropriation, the day-to-day operational work of the National Weather Service continues," said Sarah Teefey of the weather service.

"The work of the NWS is critical and necessary to protect life and property in the country and parts of the world through international agreements," she said. "Weather service offices will continue to operate on their regular schedule."

In addition:

• National Weather Service observations, forecasts and warnings, as well as decision support services, will continue uninterrupted.

• Critical functions such as repair of operational systems, like radars, will continue.

• Routine equipment maintenance, model upgrades, new product development, and other longer-term improvements to service delivery will be delayed.

−Doyle Rice

Ukraine, Israel funding likely to be kicked down the road

Some House Democrats raised concerns that aid funding for Ukraine and Israel could be forgotten as lawmakers push ahead with the funding extension.

Rep. Annie Kuster, D-N.H., is the chair of the moderate New Democrat Coalition, a group of moderate House Democrats. She said her caucus has "trust issues" with House Republicans and she wants "assurance" that Speaker Mike Johnson will bring it to the floor.

"There's urgency to it. And that's what I think he needs to understand," she said.

House Republicans passed a bill earlier this month to provide more than $14 billion in funding for Israel but it also included cuts to the Internal Revenue Service, dooming it in the Senate.

– Riley Beggin

House Speaker Mike Johnson: Temporary spending plan is not 'surrendering'

Johnson disputed the notion that his government funding plan conceded to Democrats and failed to extract conservative policy wins.

"We're not surrendering, we're fighting," Johnson said at a weekly GOP leadership news conference, adding that House Republicans must pick their battles.

"You gotta fight fights that you can win," he said.

– Ken Tran

Will Democrats vote for GOP plan to avert shutdown?

Prospects for House passage of the staggered funding extension looked good as Democrats emerged from a private meeting to discuss their plan.

Multiple members expressed frustration with the likelihood of two additional fiscal cliffs, but said they could support it given the lack of conservative policy add-ons.

At least two-thirds of the House would be required to pass the extension this afternoon using the mechanism Republicans have proposed, a significant number of Democrats will be needed.

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries did not say whether there would be enough votes from his caucus to make it happen.

“Democrats have made clear that we are going to find common ground with our Republican colleagues on any issue in good faith whenever and wherever possible, but that we will also push back against their extremism whenever necessary,” he said. “That'll be the lens through which we evaluate the continuing resolution today.”

−Riley Beggin

How likely is a government shutdown?

While Congress has found itself in a similar situation – up against the government funding deadline with just a few days left – members don't appear to be all that concerned about the prospects of a government shutdown.

Rep. Troy Nehls, R-Texas, one of the House's most conservative members, said while he had "serious" reservations about voting for the clean continuing resolution, he will support it to avert a shutdown and help Johnson.

House Democrats have also not ruled out voting for the bill and are currently meeting behind closed doors to discuss the stopgap.

−Ken Tran

How long does a continuing resolution last?

The two-phased continuing resolution would fund four of the 12 spending bills needed to keep the government open until Jan. 19. It would fund the remaining eight until Feb. 2.

The four appropriation bills funded until Jan. 19 are traditionally not controversial, funding parts of the government including public health, military construction, housing, transportation, agriculture and energy programs.

The remaining eight bills, which include funding for financial services, commerce and Homeland Security will be funded until Feb. 2.

– Ken Tran

Freedom Caucus member suggests continuing resolution is a 'poor strategy'

Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Tenn., a member of the Freedom Caucus who is against the continuing resolution, expressed disappointment at the government funding plan and said he won't "join the status quo caucus."

When asked if he has received any assurances from Johnson that House Republicans can extract conservative policy wins in other areas, Ogles dismissed that as a "poor strategy."

"Surrender today to fight tomorrow seems like a pretty poor strategy," he said.

−Ken Tran

What is a clean continuing resolution?

Hard-right Republican lawmakers have been pushing for a continuing resolution with spending cuts in an attempt to extract conservative policy wins.

But with a Democratic-controlled Senate and President Joe Biden in the White House, it is unlikely anything but a “clean” continuing resolution that extends government funding at current levels will be approved..

– Ken Tran

How a government shutdown would affect you

While there’s plenty to be resolved before the deadline Friday night, members have a powerful incentive to come to an agreement and avoid a shutdown.

If Congress can’t pass all 12 appropriations bills by the deadline, federal agencies must stop any work that isn’t considered essential.

Essential services include air traffic control and law enforcement – those employees continue to work, but don’t get paid until the shutdown is over, so it could eventually lead to flight delays and other inconveniences if the funding gap stretched on and people stopped reporting to work, affecting more Americans beyond just federal employees.

Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid benefits would continue, but other services could be delayed such as benefit verifications or the issuance of Medicare replacement cards. Passport and visa services would also likely slow down.

Food assistance – the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program – could be impacted quickly, as backup funding would likely dry up quickly and require states to fund the program themselves until Congress approves a budget.

– Ken Tran

What happens in a government shutdown?

Millions of Americans would be impacted by a government shutdown.

Federal workers would be furloughed without pay. "Essential" federal workers, such as those who work for the Federal Aviation Administration, would work without pay − but would receive backpay once a shutdown ends. Numerous subcontractors would be out of work and would not receive backpay.

The impact would stretch far beyond federal workers though. It would also be felt in millions of homes across America.

Here are some ways a government shutdown would impact your family:

• Funding for WIC − the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children − would stop immediately

• Food stamp benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program would remain intact in October but could be impacted after that

• Children from low-income families would lose access to Head Start preschool programs

• College students could see delays in their student loans

• The Food and Drug Administration would delay nonessential food safety inspections

• The Occupational Safety and Health Administration would limit its work

• Travelers could see delays with receiving passports

• National parks could close

• The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) would have no money for disaster relief

• Agencies that publish government data, such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics, will close up shop. That means investors and other market-watchers might not get to see the jobs report scheduled for October 6 or the monthly Consumer Price Index update on October 12

• The Securities and Exchange Commission would scale back operations, potentially delaying work on initial public offerings, which require federal scrutiny. Birkenstock, the sandal brand, has signaled it expects to proceed with its October IPO

−Candy Woodall and Daniel de Vise

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: House passes plan to temporarily avoid a government shutdown: Replay