WASHINGTON—An initial proposal by House Speaker Mike Johnson (R., La.) to fund the government was voted down Wednesday, underscoring the divisions within the Republican Party but potentially setting the stage for talks with Democrats on avoiding a partial shutdown at the end of the month.

Warnings, finger pointing, and political infighting have consumed talks around a continuing resolution, but the details of the upcoming funding package are expected to be ironed out over the weekend for a likely vote early next week.

Democrats say a stopgap spending plan must not include a controversial GOP measure requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote.