House Speaker Mike Johnson told senior appropriators Tuesday evening he could put a stopgap spending bill up for a vote this week to avoid a partial government shutdown Friday night.
The possible plan was shared by the Louisiana Republican in a call with the 12 chairs of the House Appropriations subcommittees, according to a senior congressional aide granted anonymity to share details of private — and still fluid — conversations.
It represents the clearest acknowledgment yet that there likely won’t be enough time to resolve a host of policy and spending differences before the March 1 deadline to extend funding for four appropriations bills.
It also echoes admissions from Senate leaders throughout the day Tuesday that a short-term spending bill could be necessary to give negotiators additional days to work through outstanding disagreements.
