House Republicans have put forth a spending bill aiming to fund federal agencies until September 30, setting the stage for a potential clash with Democrats over government spending. The bill, totaling 99 pages, proposes increased defense funding and reduced nondefense spending compared to 2024 levels, a divergence from Democrats’ preference for aligned spending in both areas. With a looming deadline to avert a government shutdown by Friday, House Speaker Mike Johnson plans to challenge Democrats by advancing the bill for a vote on Tuesday without their support, counting on Republican unity for passage.

President Donald Trump endorses the bill, emphasizing the need for unity and financial stability until September. Key elements of the bill include $892.5 billion for defense and $708 billion for nondefense spending, excluding earmarks and major entitlement programs like Social Security and Medicare. While Democratic leaders criticize the bill for ceding spending control to Trump and SpaceX’s Elon Musk, Republicans seek to avoid a shutdown and focus on extending tax cuts and raising the debt limit. Despite concerns about unilateral decision-making, Democrats stress the importance of bipartisan cooperation in funding decisions.

The bill faces challenges in garnering support, with Republicans holding a slim majority in the House and requiring Democratic votes in the Senate to pass. As tensions rise over the bill’s implications for government programs and spending oversight, both parties remain at odds over the best approach to address the funding issue, highlighting the need for constructive dialogue and compromise in shaping future spending policies.