Republicans advance funding bill despite Democratic opposition

Republicans are moving forward with a government funding bill despite opposition from Democrats. The bill aims to prevent a partial government shutdown and fund federal agencies through September. Speaker Mike Johnson is pushing for a vote soon, needing strong Republican support. The proposed bill includes cuts to non-defense spending and an increase in defense funding. Democrats are concerned about the bill's flexibility, which they believe could allow the Trump administration to make significant cuts to key programs. They have introduced an alternative bill to fund the government through April 11. The funding bill could impact Washington, D.C., by limiting its budget to last year's levels, forcing cuts to essential services. City officials warn this could harm public safety and education, as the district is already operating under a balanced budget for 2025.