(CNN) The United States Congress has three days left to pass a funding bill and avoid a government shutdown.
The new House Speaker, Mike Johnson (R-La.), has a plan to do just that, but he will likely need bipartisan support to pass it.
Johnson unveiled his unconventional two-step funding plan over the weekend. The first part of the bill extends funding until Jan. 19 for items including military construction, veterans affairs, transportation, housing and the energy department. The second extends funding until Feb. 2 for the rest of the government.
Today is the first time the House is able to vote on Johnson’s two-step funding plan. But a handful of his fellow Republicans are poised to block it.
“Right now I oppose this measure,” said Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas). “I think it’s a mistake. I don’t support the rule advancing it.”
With a slim majority in the House and an impending procedural vote that may not pass, Johnson will likely need support from Democrats to move forward with the bill. That same strategy cost former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) the gavel.
“Johnson will do what’s right, buy time, come together with the Dems, and work in a bipartisan fashion, which is what the American people want.” – Maria Elvira Salazar
“Johnson will do what’s right, buy time, come together with the Dems, and work in a bipartisan fashion, which is what the American people want,” said Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-Fla.)
The plan does not include additional aid for Israel or Ukraine, nor does it include the deep spending cuts that hardline conservatives are looking for. But with the clock ticking and several global crises ongoing, the pressure is on Congress to act.
“Not commenting on it yet,” Johnson said. “We are working with everybody.”
Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.), the top Democrat on the Rules Committee, said he thinks Johnson will bring the bill under suspension of the rules, meaning it could skip the procedural vote. But it would need a two-thirds majority to pass.
“For now, I am pleased that Speaker Johnson seems to be moving in our direction,” said Senate Majority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.).
A source with knowledge on the matter said Johnson thinks he has bipartisan support from top congressional leaders.
“House Republicans have produced a responsible measure that will keep the lights on,” said Senate Minority Leader Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ala.).
The bill will also need support from President Joe Biden. Biden initially criticized the bill, but has since indicated he might be willing to sign it.
“We’ll see what happens,” he said.