House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) postponed a Wednesday vote on a stopgap spending bill, saying he will work to “build consensus” among Republicans and try to bring the bill to the floor next week, as Politico reported.

The bill would extend current government spending until March to avert a potential government shutdown when the fiscal year ends Sept. 30.

VA Warns Long Stopgap May Disrupt Service

Keeping federal spending at the same level for half a year could impact the Department of Veterans Affairs’ service to veterans starting in the fall, VA Secretary Denis McDonough said Wednesday.

“VA would need to undertake reductions in overall staffing levels,” McDonough wrote in a letter to appropriators. “The veteran experience may be impacted on responsiveness and services across many different functional areas.”

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin also opposes a long-term continuing resolution, as On Base has reported.

Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Seth Watson