After days of chaos, Republicans may be coalescing around a party-line spending package heavy on conservative wish-list items.

The defectors broke with their party to block a Pentagon spending bill from being debated in the House. Their stances reflect deep G.O.P. divisions pushing the government toward a shutdown.

But House Democrats have begun discussions with other moderate Republicans on a fallback plan if the stopgap bill falls through. Start the day smarter. Get all the news you need in your inbox each morning.

A defense bill supported by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy was shot down before it could even reach the floor of the House for a vote.

Hard-line Republican threats to force a vote on ousting Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) from his post could soon thrust Democrats into a difficult decision: Do they save the Speaker who opened an impeachment inquiry into their president or join Republicans in booting him?