FILE PHOTO: U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) speaks during a press conference as members of Congress have two weeks to reach a deal to avert a looming partial government shutdown, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., September 16, 2025. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz/ File Photo

(Reuters) -U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson said on Thursday that he believes he has the votes to pass a stopgap funding bill on Friday that would avert a government shutdown.

House Republicans hope to pass the stopgap, known as a continuing resolution or "CR," on Friday and send it on to the Senate, which would also need to approve the measure before Republican President Donald Trump could sign it into law.

"I believe we have the votes to do it," Johnson said during an interview on Fox News' "Special Report with Bret Baier."

"We'll do the right thing: keep the government open," he said.

(Reporting by Christian Martinez; editing by Costas Pitas)