With no specific authority to enforce laws, Congress holds the key to check a president’s power. The upcoming deadline for passing a government funding bill on March 14 has many congressional Democrats stepping up. They want to ensure the budget is respected and not disregarded by the president and his allies.
Currently, Republicans need Democratic support to pass a funding bill for the 2025 fiscal year. Democrats have made it clear they won’t cooperate unless there are firm guarantees that funds will be used as intended. They want assurance that reckless actions, like what Elon Musk has done, will be stopped.
What’s next for Congress? With Trump and Musk’s influence, Republicans may instead propose a long-term continuing resolution (CR). This would keep funding at current levels until the end of September.
A CR could work in favor of Democrats. It forces Trump to comply with the established budget and prevents Republicans from reworking spending to fit their agenda. However, the bigger issue is that parts of the government are already being operated under Trump and Musk’s terms, without Congressional approval. A CR would only protect areas they choose to keep operating.
Take USAID as an example. The proposed CR suggests over $40 billion for public health and democracy support, yet USAID has significantly cut back its activities and staff. Similarly, it would allocate $79 billion to the Department of Education, which Trump wants to eliminate, and $47 billion to the National Institutes of Health, despite most of its funds being frozen.
The issue for Democrats is that voting for this CR would feel disingenuous, akin to sending money to a child who is no longer in school. If Congress does not reclaim its financial power, it risks ceding control to wealthy individuals and their chosen leaders.
Democrats face tough decisions. They could accept a longer CR, believing it might assist lawsuits aimed at getting frozen funds released. But relying on court rulings alone may not be wise. Recent Supreme Court decisions ruled in favor of paying humanitarian organizations for previous work, but the future of related legal questions remains uncertain.
A more strategic move could be to agree on a shorter CR, perhaps just one month. This would allow them to evaluate ongoing court cases and continue negotiating for a stronger funding agreement that ensures compliance with Congressional directives.
One viable solution is to enhance the current Impoundment Control Act. This act requires the president to get prior approval before withholding Congressional funds. However, since Trump’s administration has ignored this law, recent efforts to impose additional restrictions have stalled.
Another idea is to have the comptroller general regularly report any presidential fund impoundments. Such transparency could compel Congress to vote on these issues, ensuring that funds designated for crucial programs like cancer research and social services are adequately allocated.
If necessary, Democrats might consider a bold move: refusing to pass the CR and allowing a government shutdown until proper safeguards are in place. This gives them leverage moving forward, especially if short-term extensions fail to produce results.
The challenge for Democrats lies in recognizing the unique fight they’re facing. The narrative has often focused on funding cuts for programs affecting average Americans, a routine talking point against Republicans. However, the truth is that Trump and Musk are after more than just budget cuts—they aim to concentrate power and dismantle nonpartisan government operations.
The cost of this erosion could be substantial for the American people, risking the loss of essential public services and the values embedded in our Constitution. The urgency to act is clear; time is of the essence to ensure a functioning government that serves the people rather than the will of a few.
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