Vice President Vance delivered a closing pitch in favor of Speaker Mike Johnson’s (R-La.) authorities funding invoice throughout the Home GOP’s personal convention assembly on Tuesday, hours earlier than the decrease chamber is scheduled to vote on the measure.
Members mentioned that Vance argued that the six-month funding measure would enable the Trump administration and Division of Authorities Effectivity (DOGE) to proceed slashing federal applications and pausing spending.
“That’s his number one goal,” Rep. Tim Burchett (Tenn.), a GOP holdout, mentioned of Vance urging Republicans to assist the measure.
And Vance warned the GOP lawmakers that if the stopgap fails within the Home, Republicans will probably be blamed for the shutdown, a supply within the room instructed The Hill. However, if the invoice clears the Home and is blocked within the higher chamber, Senate Minority Chief Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) will bear the burden of letting the lights flip off in Washington, Vance argued.
“If it passes and is signed into law, America will benefit!” the vp added, in response to the supply.
The message got here amid uncertainty concerning the persevering with decision’s (CR) destiny within the Home. Quite a lot of Republicans are nonetheless undecided on the measure, a minimum of one GOP lawmaker is promising to vote “no,” and Democrats are anticipated to oppose the laws in droves.
With the midnight Friday shutdown deadline looming and President Trump in favor of the stopgap, Vance urged Home Republicans to get the invoice over the end line.
Dwell updates: Johnson works to avert shutdown
The Home is scheduled to carry a procedural vote on the rule for the measure at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, marking the primary take a look at for Johnson. If that’s profitable, a ultimate vote is slated for 4 p.m.
Leaving the Home GOP convention assembly on Tuesday, a handful of Republicans mentioned they remained undecided regardless of listening to Vance’s pitch, together with Burchett and Reps. Kat Cammack (R-Fla.), Beth Van Duyne (R-Texas) and Wealthy McCormick (R-Ga.). Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) and Cory Mills (R-Fla.) beforehand mentioned they have been undecided, whereas Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas) mentioned he plans to make a “game-time decision.”
Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) is the one GOP “no” vote so far.
The indecisiveness amongst some GOP lawmakers and Massie’s robust opposition are a regarding signal for Johnson, who’s grappling with a razor-thin majority. If all Democrats vote “no” and there’s full attendance, Johnson can solely afford to lose one GOP vote.
“I wish Congress were doing more of putting together an actual budget, passing appropriations, and cutting government spending, which is what all of us campaigned on,” Van Duyne mentioned leaving the assembly with Vance, saying she was nonetheless undecided after Vance’s go to with the GOP convention.
Burchett mentioned “I don’t know” when requested if there’s a path to turning into a “yes” vote on the measure, including “I just like to talk to him about my issues and I guess he’ll get around to me.”
“I’d like verification that in the future that we’re gonna reduce the spending at the Pentagon,” he mentioned.
Cammack instructed reporters after the assembly that she needs assurances on a recissions bundle and a topline quantity for fiscal 12 months 2026 funding payments forward of the vote.
“We need to make sure that we’re including some sort of rescission package, working with the White House,” Cammack mentioned. “All of us want to make sure that the president and ultimately the country is successful. We have a very short window of time to get this done, but we need to make sure that those lines of communication are staying open.”
“We can work with the White House on a recissions package to make sure that we’re getting all of the things that DOGE has been working on accounted for,” she added. “We also need to make sure that we are getting a top-line number for FY 26. That’s been a huge problem.”
The Florida Republican mentioned she was “looking forward” to her conversations with the White Home in a while Tuesday, however didn’t disclose who she was slated to talk with.
Regardless of these undecided votes, nevertheless, GOP leaders are expressing confidence that the funding patch will move, with or with out assist from Democrats.
“We will have votes,” Johnson mentioned in a press convention on Tuesday. “We’re going to pass the CR. We could do it on our own. But what I’m saying is, Democrats ought to do the responsible thing, follow their own advice in every previous scenario and keep the government open.”
