All eyes on House as hopes for government reopening enter another phase

Focus is shifting to the Republican-controlled House and whether it will approve the already Senate-passed package to reopen government. GOP leaders have notified rank-and-file members that voting on that could start as early as 4 p.m. Wednesday.

On issues that had divided that chamber, House votes can often play out as “hold your breath” events. Republicans hold a narrow 219-214 seat edge as of Wednesday (a new Democratic member is to be sworn shortly before the voting).

That means, in effect, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and his GOP lieutenants will not be able lose more than two votes provided all House members show up and vote their party lines.

But a pure party line vote is not likely to be the case on Wednesday. Some Republicans like Reps. Tom Massie (R-Ky.) and Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) have given indications they will oppose the bill. At the same time, some members of the fiscally focused House Freedom Caucus say the group will support the bill.

On the Democrats’ side, Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine), who announced he is leaving Congress at the end of this session, has said he will support the bill. He was the lone Democrat to back the previous version, which was passed by the House. But a handful of other Democrats also are being watched as potential crossovers who might support the bill this time.

However this turns out, President Donald Trump has said he backs the measure and will sign it. Trump’s direct intercession has helped Johnson get crucial votes he needs on a number of items this year.