House Republican Absences This Week Complicate Funding Progress

House GOP leaders’ limited wiggle room tightened even more this week ahead of a key government funding vote, with two Republicans away from Washington for medical reasons.

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has a razor-thin majority on a normal day, with 218 Republicans and 213 Democrats serving in the House. It’s even closer this week with Rep. Greg Murphy (R-N.C.) recovering from surgery and Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-Wis.) caring for his wife during a medical issue.

The numbers could complicate a Wednesday procedural vote on spending legislation. The chamber is slated to consider the rule, which is typically a partisan ...