Dems brace to bail out Johnson on stopgap spending package

House Democrats are once again likely to bail out Speaker Mike Johnson on a stopgap spending bill, as conservatives largely vow to oppose it on the floor.

“I expect we’re going to pass the CR,” said Connecticut Rep. Rosa DeLauro, the top Democrat on the Appropriations Committee.

“Because Republicans can't pass this on their own, we were able to have a lot of that leverage to make sure that significant Democratic priorities are part of this resolution,” said Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.).

Democratic lawmakers emerged from a closed-door leadership meeting Wednesday without taking a formal position on whether to support or oppose the stopgap bill, and they’re unlikely to whip on it. But Democratic lawmakers on Wednesday were touting the wins for their side in the legislation, including $100 billion in disaster aid, childcare funding and health care provisions.

Congressional leaders released the bill text Tuesday evening, which would fund the government through March 14 and includes a handful of unrelated policy bills, including legislation to renew expiring health care programs, another measure that would restrict U.S. investments in China and a one-year extension of the farm bill, which sets agriculture and food policy.

Dozens of Republicans are expected to oppose the legislation when it comes to a vote this week, and conservatives are signaling they would even block it in the Rules Committees, which determines what legislation makes it to the floor. That means Johnson likely would have to pass it under a process known as suspension, which requires a two-thirds majority in the House. Conservatives are fuming about the legislation arguing the package is a “bad deal.”

That means Johnson would need a huge number of Democrats to back it on the floor to avoid a shutdown that would kick in on Friday night. He's likely to get it, though some Republicans won't be thrilled that he's once again relying on the opposing party to pass major legislation.

“We're at that point primarily because the Republicans hate themselves and they can't get anything to pass on the floor,” said Rep. Sean Casten (D-Ill.)

There are still some Democrats who might oppose the stopgap bill, known as a continuing resolution or a CR, namely over a provision that could result in a cost-of-living pay increase for members of Congress. Lawmakers haven't gotten a raise since 2009, amid fears that voters might punish them for approving salary increases for themselves.

“Mainers can’t wave a wand and give themselves a raise, and Congress shouldn’t either — especially when most voters would tell you our job performance is poor at best,” purple-district Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine) said in a statement. “Until the pay freeze is reinstated, I will not vote for this CR.”

It’s a concern that senior Democrats, including those who had long pushed for the cost-of-living increase, brushed aside.

“We don't change the law. We’re following the law. It’s a very small part,” said Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.).