A possible authorities shutdown looms giant as President Donald Trump addresses a joint session of Congress on Tuesday night time — the place he’s positive to face a divided viewers following his sustained effort to slash the U.S. paperwork.
High congressional leaders haven’t but struck a deal to maintain the lights on within the nation’s capital forward of the March 14 deadline to fund the federal authorities — and time is operating brief.
As Democrats look to defend civil servants from mass firings, its leaders have pushed for language to be inserted in a authorities funding invoice to make sure the Trump administration correctly directs funds appropriated by Congress, an effort to push again in opposition to Elon Musk’s Division of Authorities Effectivity efforts.
However Republicans have made clear they gained’t settle for these calls for — calling them unprecedented.
President Donald Trump arrives to talk to members of the media within the Roosevelt Room of the White Home, Mar. 3, 2025 in Washington.
Andrew Harnik/Getty Photos
As an instance the gargantuan gulf between them, many Democrats are bringing not too long ago fired federal employees to attend Trump’s handle to showcase the impression of Musk’s slashing of federal companies.
Of his 5 company, Senate Minority Chief Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., invited two fired federal employees, together with a USAID employee and a disabled Army veteran.
Democratic Sen. Ruben Gallego of Arizona invited Kyle Rahn, a disabled Military veteran who served three excursions in Iraq earlier than working on the Division of Homeland Safety, from which he was fired final month.
Democratic Rep. Brad Schneider of Illinois invited Adam Mulvey, a 20-year Military veteran who served a number of excursions in Iraq and Afghanistan and was fired from his position at Lovell Federal Well being Care Heart in Spring Grove, Illinois, on Feb. 13.
Home Speaker Mike Johnson instructed that DOGE cuts must be a part of fiscal 2026 authorities funding negotiations — kicking the proverbial can to a different yr.
However the speaker mentioned the GOP-controlled Home is eyeing a short-term clear authorities funding invoice that might prolong present spending ranges by way of the top of September 2025, however the specifics of his technique stay unclear.
A brief-term measure would “make it possible for the federal government can keep open whereas we start to include all these financial savings that we’re discovering by way of the DOGE effort and these different sources of income that President Trump’s insurance policies are — bringing to the desk,” Johnson argued on NBC’s “Meet the Press” on Sunday.
Trump endorsed this plan final week, calling for a clear persevering with decision — whilst hardline Republicans strain Johnson to not band collectively once more on a bipartisan invoice with Democrats, who aren’t inclined to assist Trump with something.
Some Republicans have already raised considerations, together with Texas GOP Rep. Tony Gonzales, who says he’s a no vote on any persevering with decision.
“I’m a NO on the CR. Congress must do its job and go a conservative finances! CR’s are code for Continued Rubberstamp of fraud, waste, and abuse,” Gonzales posted on X.
Nebraska reasonable GOP Rep. Don Bacon raised concern a couple of clear measure since army funding can be held flat.
“A unbroken decision (CR) is dangerous for our army and weakens our nationwide safety. A CR means new weapons applications can’t get began. A year-long CR means we’re not severe about constructing a army that may deter China, Russia and Iran,” Bacon mentioned on X.
Johnson can solely afford to lose one Republican if all members are current and vote and can nearly actually must depend on Democratic votes to avert a shutdown. Thirty-four Republicans voted in opposition to the present 3-month funding measure Dec. 21 that’s set to run out in lower than two weeks, illustrating the necessity for bipartisanship on the point of a shutdown.
In the meantime, Minority Chief Hakeem Jeffries accused Republicans of strolling away from negotiations — rejecting the speaker’s characterization of the scenario.
“Home Democrats are dedicated to funding the federal government in a fashion that promotes the financial well-being, well being and security of on a regular basis People,” Jeffries mentioned in an announcement Sunday.
