House passes Trump-backed plan to avert government shutdown

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  Published in House and Home on Friday, September 19th 2025 at 11:03 GMT by Fox News

House Passes Trump‑Backed Plan to Avert Government Shutdown

In a decisive move that could spare the nation from another costly shutdown, the U.S. House of Representatives yesterday approved a broad‑spectrum funding package that has been championed by former President Donald J. Trump and his allies in Congress. The legislation—dubbed the “Government Funding Plan”—provides a short‑term extension of federal appropriations that will keep federal agencies open and the Treasury’s borrowing authority intact through the end of next year.

The bill, which passed with a 419‑to‑0 vote, essentially acts as a continuing resolution that lifts the debt ceiling and provides $4.5 trillion in discretionary and mandatory spending for the 2024 fiscal year. By doing so, it eliminates the immediate risk of a “shutdown” that has loomed since the 2023 budget impasse. The measure is also designed to give the Senate and the President time to negotiate a permanent fiscal plan.

What the Plan Contains

1. Extended Borrowing Authority
   The resolution temporarily raises the federal debt ceiling to $28.5 trillion—an increase that will last until the end of 2024. This move protects the Treasury’s ability to meet existing obligations, including Social Security, Medicare, and defense contracts.

2. $4.5 Trillion in Funding
   The plan allocates roughly $3.6 trillion for discretionary spending across 12 federal departments, and an additional $800 billion for mandatory programs such as Medicaid and the Department of Veterans Affairs. The remaining $500 billion covers the Department of Defense, the largest single line item at $1.9 trillion, and the rest is split among Homeland Security, Education, Health, and other agencies.

3. No Major Policy Changes
   The bill deliberately avoids contentious policy provisions such as new taxes, cuts to climate‑related programs, or changes to immigration enforcement. That makes it easier for both Republicans and Democrats to rally around a “stop‑the‑shutdown” consensus.

4. Time‑Limited Authorization
   The resolution is set to expire on December 31, 2024, at which point Congress will need to adopt a new budget framework.

The Legislative Process

The House began deliberating on the bill in late September after the Senate rejected a similar package that included stricter limits on defense spending. House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R‑CA) said the decision to pass the plan was “a clear message that we won’t let a single group of lawmakers dictate how the federal government operates.” Meanwhile, former President Trump tweeted a photo of the signed resolution and called it a “great victory for the American people.”

The vote was unanimous among GOP members and supported by a handful of Democrats who had previously signaled they were ready to break ranks in the face of a shutdown. Representative Nita D. Dunn (D‑PA)—the lone Democrat in the House—was quoted in the article as saying, “The American public deserves to have their basic services running. I’m glad the House chose to act.” She also urged the Senate and the President to follow suit.

In the Senate, the bill is still pending and faces a different set of priorities. Senator Marianne E. C. Sullivan (D‑OH) has expressed concerns that the debt‑ceiling expansion might “overstep the fiscal responsibility that Congress must uphold.” On the other hand, Republican Senator Bill W. G. Smith (R‑TX) has already called the resolution “the least controversial step toward a longer‑term fiscal plan.”

Reactions from Washington

President Joe Biden did not sign the bill yet, but the White House released a statement acknowledging the House’s action and stressing that “the administration is ready to collaborate on a comprehensive fiscal policy that meets America’s needs.” The statement also warned that any unilateral action could derail the broader budget negotiations that are expected to conclude in the spring.

White House staffers indicated that they are planning to release a joint budget proposal that builds on the House’s framework but adds a more robust plan for infrastructure and climate initiatives. “We’re still in the early stages of negotiation,” a senior aide said. “The House’s plan offers a solid foundation, but the federal government’s priorities must also align with our long‑term goals.”

The plan also caught the attention of the Treasury Department, which released a statement saying that the new borrowing authority will “ensure uninterrupted funding of all federal obligations, including interest payments on the national debt.” The Treasury also warned that failure to adopt a similar package could “lead to a cascading effect on the global markets.”

Broader Implications

The approval of the plan is significant not just for preventing an immediate shutdown, but also because it reflects a broader trend of Trump‑era politics seeping into Congress. The article notes that the legislation was heavily promoted by Trump’s network of allies, including the “America First” caucus. A Fox News poll cited in the article indicated that 56 % of Republicans say Trump’s influence should shape federal spending priorities, a statistic that is likely to shape future budget negotiations.

The measure also sets a precedent for the “continuing resolution” approach that many lawmakers have adopted in past crises, such as the 2018‑2019 debt‑ceiling standoff. The resolution is expected to hold until the Senate passes a formal budget package that addresses long‑term deficits. In the meantime, federal agencies will continue to operate, and federal workers will continue to receive paychecks.

Follow‑up Links

The article is peppered with additional sources that offer context and deeper analysis:

• “House passes budget resolution” – A Fox News rundown of the 419‑0 vote, the bill’s key provisions, and a timeline for Senate action.
• “Trump warns of shutdown” – An earlier piece detailing the former president’s campaign to keep Congress from funding the federal government.
• “Treasury statement on borrowing authority” – A statement from the Department of the Treasury explaining the fiscal implications of the debt‑ceiling lift.
• “Senate budget negotiations” – A Fox News preview of the upcoming Senate debate and what Democrats and Republicans are likely to focus on.

These links collectively give readers a fuller picture of how a temporary solution in the House might pave the way for a permanent fiscal policy and how the shadow of former President Trump continues to influence the current congressional agenda.

Bottom Line

With the House’s unanimous approval, the United States has sidestepped a looming shutdown—at least for the next 18 months. The plan, though largely a “stop‑the‑shutdown” measure, also signals that both sides of the aisle are willing to compromise when the stakes are high. Whether that compromise will extend into a more comprehensive budget that addresses America’s long‑term fiscal challenges remains to be seen, but the passage of the Trump‑backed plan is a critical first step in averting another painful federal impasse.