U.S. House Speaker Reveals Temporary Funding Measure

U.S. media reported that "House Speaker Mike Johnson announced today, Saturday, a two-step temporary funding measure aimed at avoiding a partial government shutdown a week from now." This measure provides for the establishment of an unconventional structure intended to fund certain sectors of the federal government until January 19, and other agencies until February 2, according to media reports. Support for this measure from Democrats or the White House is seen as unlikely. The Republican-controlled House and the Democrat-led Senate have until next Friday to pass a temporary funding legislation to ensure the continued operation of federal agencies after the current funding expires. Temporary measures have so far been used to fund the entire government over a specified time period. This unconventional two-step structure adopted by Johnson was based on demands from hardline Republicans who opposed taking more straightforward measures in the past.