WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans are facing a big test of unity with a crucial spending bill. This bill aims to prevent a partial government shutdown and maintain funding for federal agencies until September.
Speaker Mike Johnson from Louisiana plans to hold a vote on the bill as early as Tuesday. He’s pushing it forward even without support from Democrats, which puts pressure on them. If lawmakers can’t come to an agreement, a shutdown could start Saturday.
To get the bill approved, Republicans will need strong backing from their members and some assistance from Senate Democrats. It’s a significant challenge for the Republican leadership as they navigate Trump’s second term. Vice President JD Vance will be on Capitol Hill to rally support.
“We have to keep the government running,” Johnson stated after a House Republican meeting. The Vice President agreed, and he believes the number of dissenting members is decreasing.
Trump is backing this strategy, urging Republicans to “stay united.” He wants them to postpone fights for later, when the timing is better.
The bill proposes cutting $13 billion from non-defense spending while increasing defense funding by $6 billion. Overall, it keeps discretionary spending around $1.7 trillion. However, it doesn’t address significant programs like Social Security and Medicare, which are funded on autopilot.
Democrats express concerns about the bill giving the Trump administration too much control over spending. They are already worried about the administration’s plans for significant cuts through a new agency led by Elon Musk called the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). They fear this spending bill would exacerbate those efforts.
“This isn’t a straightforward bill; it’s a blank check for Musk and Trump,” commented Rep. Rosa DeLauro from Connecticut. The legislation eliminates numerous funding directives, which could enable the administration to alter key priorities.
The Democratic memo notes that with this bill, the administration could divert funds from important initiatives, like fighting fentanyl, towards mass deportation efforts.
Typically, Republicans require Democratic cooperation for funding bills to pass. But this time, GOP leaders are pushing forward despite opposition. Trump appears to be successfully consolidating Republican support, having met with various conservative members last week.
The House Freedom Caucus, which includes many conservative Republicans, has expressed support for this bill, calling it a “paradigm shift.” However, Rep. Thomas Massie from Kentucky remains a holdout and plans to vote against it, stating that concerns about deficits don’t seem to matter when Republicans are in power.
Trump has criticized Massie on social media, labeling him a “grandstander” and stating he should face a primary challenge.
Rep. Tom Cole, the chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, recognized that this continuing resolution is not ideal but noted the need to break the cycle of short-term funding measures. This would be the third resolution for the current budget year.
House Democrats are firmly against the bill, but it’s uncertain how strongly they will urge their members in competitive districts to vote against it. “We won’t support Republican efforts that harm Americans,” said House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries.
In the Senate, Democrats seem to be taking a wait-and-see approach, hoping to see if Republicans can push the bill through the House first. “No comment,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer as he hurried past reporters.
Although many Senate Democrats disapprove of the bill, they are awaiting developments. If the bill reaches the Senate, it will likely need at least eight Democratic votes to move forward.
The Democrats have also proposed an alternative bill to fund the government through April 11, which could serve as a backup plan if the Republican effort struggles.
Additionally, the spending bill could significantly impact Washington, D.C. Local officials have expressed concerns, noting that it would limit the district’s funding to last year’s levels despite ongoing expenses. Mayor Muriel Bowser indicated this could lead to a $1.1 billion cut in spending over the next six months, affecting essential services like education and public safety.
Bowser stressed the importance of focusing on public safety, education, and economic growth in the district’s budget. “If Congress goes through with this, it would counter our shared goal of making D.C. a great city,” she warned.
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