House GOP funding patch clears first hurdle with Mike Johnson confident measure will pass

A Republican-led short-term spending bill to avert a government shutdown ahead of a deadline later this week cleared a key procedural rule vote Tuesday afternoon, with House GOP leadership confident it will have the votes for final passage.

The rule, which dictates the particulars of debate time and amendment process for a bill, passed the House 216 to 214, mostly along party lines. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) was the sole Republican who voted against advancing the measure. The continuing resolution, which mostly freezes spending levels until Sept. 30, will go to a final passage vote at 4 p.m.