House passes stopgap funding bill; Orange County lawmakers split along party lines ...Middle East

On Tuesday, March 11, the House approved a six-month stopgap funding bill to avert a potential federal government shutdown — Orange County’s congressional delegation voted along party lines.

The stopgap bill, known as a continuing resolution, is a temporary measure to keep the government funded until Sept. 30, the end of the fiscal year. The bill would cut some estimated $13 billion in funding for non-defense discretionary programs — which includes education, public health and transportation — while increasing spending on defense. Discretionary spending refers to the part of the federal budget that Congress approves each year, unlike mandatory spending such as Social Security and Medicare, which is set by law.

The bill passed the House with almost all Republicans in support, except for one, and with one Democrat voting in support.

Democrats have been arguing the proposal doesn’t protect key programs and cuts important projects. Now, the bill heads to the Senate, where it needs 60 votes to pass. If it doesn’t pass by 11:59 p.m. Friday, parts of the government will shut down, leading to furloughs for some federal workers and the suspension of services.

Rep. Derek Tran, D-Orange, a freshman member of Orange County’s congressional delegation, argued the stopgap bill would negatively impact his constituents in the 45th District and he accused Republicans of going back on their commitment to support the region, saying the bill would eliminate $21.8 million in funding designated for infrastructure and public safety improvements.

“Additionally, the continuing resolution cuts federal support for law enforcement, woefully underfunds disaster response for wildfires and hurricanes, cuts funding for affordable housing and food programs for seniors and denies veterans critical care to treat exposure to toxic chemicals during their service,” he said.

Rep. Young Kim, a Republican representing communities in Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties, said those in her party “made sure current community project funding requests are protected.”

“The programs are not cut. They are not zeroed out,” said Kim, R-Anaheim Hills. “The continuing resolution keeps the status quo.”

Rep. Tom Cole, chair of the House Appropriations Committee, noted in a GOP summary of the bill that the $13 billion reduction in non-defense discretionary spending would come from not renewing earmarks from the fiscal year 2024. Essentially, funding already allocated to these projects will not be affected, but no new money will be given to the same projects in the future.

House Democrats also argued the GOP’s continuing resolution doesn’t include detailed funding provisions for many programs and priorities, which would typically be addressed in a negotiated full-year spending bill.

“This is not politics — it is a test of whether we still have a functioning democracy. Congress — not (President Donald) Trump, not (Elon) Musk — decides how tax dollars are spent. If we rubber-stamp this continuing resolution, we are effectively surrendering that power,” Rep. Mike Levin, D-San Juan Capistrano, said.

Rep. Dave Min, D-Irvine, another freshman Congress member, echoed Levin’s concerns, saying Trump and his administration have “made it clear that they have no regard for funding appropriated by Congress.”

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