Speaker Mike Johnson is proposing a short-term stopgap spending bill to prevent a partial government shutdown at the end of the week. This move aims to provide a temporary solution to the ongoing stalemate that has threatened federal funding over the past six months.

The proposed bill would extend funding for some government agencies for a week, until March 8, and the rest for an additional two weeks, until March 22. This extension is contingent on congressional leaders finalizing a bipartisan agreement on six out of the 12 annual spending bills. The remaining six measures would be negotiated separately, with the goal of passing all spending bills individually before the next funding deadlines.

According to Athina Lawson, a spokeswoman for Mr. Johnson, any stopgap bill would be part of a larger agreement to complete several appropriations bills. This would allow enough time for drafting the text and for members to review the bills before casting their votes.

Congressional leaders are working to finalize the plan by Wednesday, with hopes of holding quick votes in both chambers before the midnight deadline on Friday. Senator Chuck Schumer, the majority leader, expressed optimism about reaching an agreement soon to avoid a shutdown and move closer to completing the appropriations process.

While the proposed bill offers hope for averting an immediate shutdown, it only postpones resolution of the spending stalemate that has gripped Congress. Republicans, aiming for significant budget cuts and conservative policy mandates, have been unwilling to compromise with Democrats. A recent meeting at the White House, where President Biden and congressional leaders applied pressure on Mr. Johnson to accept a spending deal, resulted in cautious optimism from both parties regarding funding the government.

Mr. Johnson’s proposal indicates that progress has been made in resolving some of the policy disagreements that have been contentious in recent days. He informed Republicans that while major policy priorities may not be included, smaller victories are expected. Republicans have been pushing for measures such as restricting access to abortion medication, limiting the Department of Veterans Affairs’ ability to classify veterans as mentally incompetent on background checks for gun purchases, and blocking Democratic efforts to increase funding for nutrition programs for low-income women and children.

Overall, the prospect of a short-term spending bill to avert a partial government shutdown provides a glimmer of hope amidst the long-standing budget battles in Congress. By extending the funding deadline and focusing on bipartisan agreements, there is potential to move closer to resolving the impasse and ensuring continued government operations. As negotiations continue, lawmakers are working to find common ground and address key policy differences in order to secure the necessary funding for vital government functions.