"House Speaker Mike Johnson's 2-Step Plan to Prevent Government Shutdown"

House Speaker Mike Johnson has proposed a two-step stopgap funding bill to avoid a government shutdown. The bill would extend funding for some agencies and programs until January 19, and for others until February 2. This approach addresses concerns from GOP lawmakers who want to avoid a massive spending bill before the holidays. The bill excludes funding requested by President Biden for Israel, Ukraine, and the U.S. border with Mexico. Johnson's proposal has received mixed reactions, with some conservatives criticizing it for funding Pelosi-level spending. Moody's Investors Service recently lowered its outlook on the U.S. government's debt to "negative" due to rising interest rates and political polarization in Congress.