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House Republicans have introduced a plan aimed at preventing a government shutdown at the end of this month, which includes approximately $30 million in additional security funding for lawmakers.
This initiative follows the tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk last week during a speaking event at a college campus in Utah.
The proposal primarily serves as a straightforward extension of existing government funding, known as a continuing resolution (CR), to allow more time for negotiations between House and Senate leaders. It is set to extend through November 21.
Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., has indicated a desire to conduct a House-wide vote on the measure this Friday, after which it will be forwarded to the Senate.
To avert a shutdown, President Donald Trump must sign the measure into law by October 1, which marks the beginning of fiscal year 2026.
During the House GOP’s weekly closed-door conference meeting, House Administration Committee Chair Bryan Steil, R-Wis., briefed lawmakers on security options and plans for the funding increase.
Sources informed Fox News Digital that Steil proposed adding $30 million to a mutual aid fund, which supports collaboration between Capitol Police and local law enforcement during the duration of the CR. House leadership confirmed this would be included in the bill.
Steil explained, “The proposed $30 million plus-up would be into the mutual aid bucket, one of the many programs available. The mutual aid bucket is a program where U.S. Capitol Police reimburses local law enforcement to provide security, traditionally, in a member’s district,” when asked by reporters after the meeting.
The legislation also aligns with the Trump administration’s request for an extra $58 million in security funding for the judicial and executive branches.
Additionally, $1 billion will be allocated to Washington, D.C.’s annual budget, which is determined by the federal government.
Rep. Scott Fitzgerald, R-Wis., expressed optimism that the funding boost for lawmaker security in the CR could pave the way for future discussions on long-term security enhancements, likely during the fiscal 2026 appropriations process.
Fitzgerald stated, “What you’re trying to do, put in perspective, is if you had 24/7 for every member, all 435, it’s billions of dollars. So we’re trying to come up with something that makes sense and that members are comfortable with.”
Referencing the recent assassinations of a Minnesota state Democratic lawmaker and Kirk, he added, “It’s become something that we’ve already been, since Minnesota, focused on. And now with Charlie Kirk, it’s just gone off the charts trying to figure out what you can do.”
While Democratic lawmakers also seek increased security, frustrations have arisen over their exclusion from government funding discussions, leading their leaders to threaten mass opposition to the CR.
With a slim House GOP majority of just two seats, Johnson can afford little dissent within his conference.
Concerns about current Capitol security were raised by Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., who expressed doubts about the adequacy of member security measures. He said, “I’ve got some real problems there,” and added that the proposed security increases would not resolve the issues, stating, “That’s personnel. That’s leadership.”
Other Republicans, including Reps. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., Victoria Spartz, R-Ind., Warren Davidson, R-Ohio, and Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., have also voiced reservations about supporting a CR.
However, Johnson emphasized during a Tuesday press conference that the responsibility would fall on Democrats if they opposed the GOP-led CR, stating, “Unfortunately, there are some Democrats who are openly pining for a government shutdown in spite of this obvious and necessary step. Some of them apparently believe that shutting down the government will be some sort of life raft for them so they can regain the support of the American people. I just think that is a fool’s gambit.”
He also noted that Kirk’s assassination has sparked renewed discussions regarding lawmaker security, saying, “The tragedy has also initiated a number of uncomfortable but necessary conversations about important issues, like the safety and security of our members and the responsibility of public servants, and the need for political leaders to turn down the temperature and the violent rhetoric in America.”
