A possible authorities shutdown looms massive 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. forms.
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 working 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
For example the gargantuan gulf between them, many Democrats are bringing lately fired federal staff to attend Trump’s tackle to showcase the affect of Musk’s slashing of federal businesses.
Of his 5 visitors, Senate Minority Chief Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., invited two fired federal staff, together with a USAID employee and a disabled Military 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 function at Lovell Federal Well being Care Middle in Spring Grove, Illinois, on Feb. 13.
Home Speaker Mike Johnson prompt that DOGE cuts needs to be a part of fiscal 2026 authorities funding negotiations — kicking the proverbial can to a different 12 months.
However the speaker mentioned the GOP-controlled Home is eyeing a short-term clear authorities funding invoice that will lengthen present spending ranges by means of the tip of September 2025, however the specifics of his technique stay unclear.
A brief-term measure would “ensure that the federal government can keep open whereas we start to include all these financial savings that we’re discovering by means 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 — at the same time as 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 move a conservative funds! CR’s are code for Continued Rubberstamp of fraud, waste, and abuse,” Gonzales posted on X.
Nebraska average GOP Rep. Don Bacon raised concern a few clear measure since navy funding can be held flat.
“A unbroken decision (CR) is dangerous for our navy and weakens our nationwide safety. A CR means new weapons applications can not get began. A year-long CR means we aren’t severe about constructing a navy that can 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 virtually actually must depend on Democratic votes to avert a shutdown. Eighty-two Republicans voted in opposition to the present 3-month funding measure that’s set to run out in lower than two weeks, illustrating the patently apparent want for bipartisanship getting ready to 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 way that promotes the financial well-being, well being and security of on a regular basis Individuals,” Jeffries mentioned in a press release Sunday.
