"US House speaker's plan gains Democratic support, but government shutdown still looms"

U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson's plan to avoid a government shutdown gained tentative support from Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer, who praised the proposal for refraining from steep spending cuts. However, some hardline Republicans, including Representative Chip Roy, opposed the plan due to its lack of spending cuts and conservative policies. The bill, which aims to keep federal agencies operating at current funding levels, needs to clear the House before it can move to the Senate. The plan sets different funding deadlines for different parts of the government and is seen as a "clean" bill without spending cuts or policy provisions. The ongoing partisan gridlock and fractures within the House Republican majority have led to Moody's lowering its U.S. credit rating outlook to "negative." The plan would need to pass the Senate and be signed into law by President Joe Biden by Friday to avoid a government shutdown.