House Freedom Caucus Chairman Andy Harris, R-Md., has given tentative approval to the Senate’s bipartisan agreement to end the government shutdown, expressing concerns over a provision related to the sale of ‘intoxicating hemp’ products. Harris announced he would support the legislation if the hemp-related clause is removed, highlighting the need to close the 2018 Farm Bill loophole that allows such sales. His caution underscores the internal rift within the conservative faction of the House over this particular issue.
The Senate has resolved the funding impasse, with eight Democrats joining all Republicans, except for Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., to overcome a filibuster on an updated spending bill. This breakthrough has allowed for the advancement of a legislative package that extends fiscal year 2025 funding levels through January 30, giving Congress more time to negotiate a longer-term deal for FY 2026. However, the outcome of the hemp provision remains a contentious point, with Paul’s potential objection possibly delaying the final agreement.
The legislative package includes provisions that would reverse federal layoffs from the Trump administration and address several key areas such as the Department of Agriculture, the Food and Drug Administration, and the Department of Veterans Affairs. While the deal includes a guarantee for a Senate vote on extending Obamacare subsidies that were enhanced during the pandemic, the House has not committed to a vote on these subsidies, which has led to frustration among Democrats. Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., has stated that he does not intend to promise a House vote on the enhanced subsidies, which has added to the tensions within the Democratic Party.