Johnson Casts Doubt on Early House Return For Spending Vote (1)

The House is unlikely to return to Washington before Monday even if the Senate passes a funding compromise ahead of Friday night’s deadline to stave off a partial government shutdown, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said.

“We typically have a 72-hour notice,” Johnson told Bloomberg Government. “But we’re awaiting Senate action to determine the course, and we’ll let everybody know as soon as possible.”

The House has been in recess this week after passing the final appropriations bills to fully fund the government last week and sending them to the Senate in a combined package. Senate Democrats revolted over funding for the Department of Homeland Security after immigration enforcement agents killed ICU nurse Alex Pretti in Minnesota last weekend.

Democrats have said they’re willing to pass the other five House-passed appropriations bills if they’re separated from Homeland Security, and negotiations are currently underway between the White House and Senate Democrats on a potential path forward.

Johnson said GOP leadership “may have trouble getting everybody back this weekend” if the Senate sends legislation back for another House vote. The House would need to pass any new deal for it to become law, and government funding runs out early Saturday morning.

The House plans to return Monday after a weeklong recess. Lawmakers and aides have noted that weather conditions across the country could make it difficult for leadership to call members back to Washington before then. Additionally, some House lawmakers are on congressional delegations to faraway countries including Israel.

House Republican leaders will hold a member conference call Thursday to “give them an update on what’s happening” with appropriations, Johnson said.

“These things are out of the control of the House right now,” the speaker added. “It’s rather frustrating for us. We got all 12 appropriations bills done, we sent them to the Senate. We did our job, and now it looks like people are playing political games with it.”

House Democrats held a caucus call Wednesday night to discuss their position on extracting immigration enforcement changes in exchange for funding DHS. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) told reporters Thursday that he’s been in conversation with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Johnson, but not the White House, on a path forward for government funding.

“Dramatic change is needed with the Department of Homeland Security before any appropriations bill related to ICE or CBP proceeds,” Jeffries said. “That’s the Democratic position.”