House rejects funding bill amid looming government shutdown

Top line

The risk of a government shutdown will remain after the House of Representatives rejected a stopgap bill introduced by Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) that sought to extend federal funding and drew opposition from some Republicans.

The bill was rejected Wednesday evening. (Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images)

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Key facts

Fourteen Republicans opposed the bill, which would have funded the government through March 2025, and it was defeated by a vote of 220 to 202.

Lawmakers now have less than two weeks to approve the funding and avoid a government shutdown that would occur just over a month before the election, if it occurs.

The bill included a voting measure opposed by Democrats and pushed by former President Donald Trump that sought to require proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections. But studies have shown that illegal voting by noncitizens is rare, The Associated Press reported.

Democrats are seeking a funding bill that would provide three months of funding for the government, not six months, according to CBS News, which cited Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.