Republicans are preparing for a significant challenge to their solidarity as a spending proposal aimed at preventing a partial government shutdown moves through Congress. This bill is intended to keep federal agencies operational up to September of the following year. House Speaker Mike Johnson, representing Louisiana, is pushing the bill for a potential vote as early as Tuesday. Johnson’s strategy seems to be testing Democrats, daring them to oppose the move and risk a government shutdown by Saturday if legislative action isn’t taken.
The support of Republican legislators in both the House and Senate, supplemented by assistance from Senate Democrats, is crucial for the bill to reach the President’s office. This could prove to be a decisive legislative moment during President Donald Trump’s second term. Johnson emphasized the importance of getting the continuing resolution, or CR, passed by stating, “No one wants to shut the government down. We are governing, doing the responsible thing as Republicans.” He also pushed the responsibility onto Senate Democrats, led by Chuck Schumer, to make the right decision.
President Trump has offered his endorsement for the strategy and called upon Republicans to stay united without any dissent. The proposed bill would decrease non-defense expenditures by $13 billion and increase defense spending by $6 billion compared to the 2024 budget. However, these changes appear minor when juxtaposed with the total discretionary spending planning of nearly $1.7 trillion. Notably, the proposed legislation doesn’t involve major federal expenses such as Social Security and Medicare, which are automatically funded.
The bill has sparked concerns among Democrats, who are uneasy about the latitude it provides the Trump administration in making spending decisions. Many are alarmed by the administration’s existing cuts through the Department of Government Efficiency, managed by Trump adviser Elon Musk, and fear that the bill could further enable such actions. House Democrat Rosa DeLauro criticized the move, labeling it as a “blank check” for Trump and Musk.
Typically, spending packages are accompanied by directives for essential programs, but this proposal strips away many of these instructions, according to information from Senate Democrats. This means the Trump administration could potentially redirect funds towards their preferred priorities. There’s a belief among Democrats that this bill could shift funds away from critical areas, such as fentanyl mitigation, and allocate them towards less popular initiatives like mass deportation efforts.
In the past, Republicans have often needed bipartisan cooperation to ensure government funding continues, as they frequently lack the necessary votes on their own. Nonetheless, this time Republican leaders are pushing forward, despite Democrat resistance. Trump appears to have solidified his influence over Republicans, recently engaging with the party’s conservatives to rally support. Some members of the House Freedom Caucus, who usually oppose spending bills, have signaled their backing for this one, describing it as a significant shift.
Despite overall support, not all Republicans are onboard. Representative Thomas Massie from Kentucky has expressed his intent to vote against the bill, citing concerns over deficit management. His opposition has drawn criticism from Trump, who lambasted him on social media and suggested he should face a primary challenge.
Acknowledging the limitations of the proposed resolution, Rep. Tom Cole, who leads the House Appropriations Committee, advocated for moving past the cycle of temporary measures aimed at sustaining government operations. He emphasized that Congress has numerous other priorities to address.
While Republican leaders are trying to pass the bill without Democratic support, House Democrat leaders are firmly against it. However, the degree of pressure they apply to members in contested districts remains uncertain. Senate Democrats, led by Chuck Schumer, are largely adopting a wait-and-see approach, observing whether the bill advances through the House.
Criticism from within Democratic ranks has emerged, with several members expressing dissatisfaction with the approach Republicans have taken. Should the bill reach the Senate, a minimum of eight Democratic votes will likely be required for passage. Senate Majority Leader John Thune remarked that the decision to avert a shutdown would ultimately rest with the Democrats.
As an alternative, Democrats introduced a separate proposal late Monday to fund the government through April, potentially serving as a Plan B if the current effort falters. There’s also significant concern within the District of Columbia, as the bill would freeze funding at last year’s levels despite the city operating under its 2025 budget. This could necessitate substantial cuts to important services.
Mayor Muriel Bowser emphasized that such congressional actions could undermine shared goals with President Trump for the city. Adjusting to these unwelcome budget constraints could severely impact Washington, D.C.’s priorities on public safety, education, and economic growth.
