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 government shutdown at the end of the month.

A bill to avert a partial government shutdown at the end of this month failed along bipartisan lines on Wednesday.

The deadline for a potential government shutdown is September 30 if lawmakers fail to agree on a budget. However, the chance of a shutdown is currently viewed as low.