- Congress faces a 7-day deadline to pass a spending bill and prevent a government shutdown
- House Speaker Johnson proposes funding at current levels through September 2025 with potential future cuts
- Democrats reject the plan, citing risks to Medicaid, food aid, and veterans' benefits
- Trump pressures GOP hardliners to support the bill as path to future tax reductions
- Senate Democrats demand compromise bill, risking brief shutdown if negotiations fail
With federal funding set to expire in seven days, Congressional leaders remain divided on a path forward to keep government operations running. House Republicans unveiled a controversial continuing resolution (CR) that would maintain current spending levels through September 2025 while setting the stage for potential budget cuts during summer reconciliation talks. The proposal has drawn fierce Democratic opposition over concerns it could jeopardize social safety net programs favored by progressive lawmakers.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) faces mounting pressure from both wings of his party as he attempts to navigate the GOP's razor-thin majority. At least two Republican representatives – Thomas Massie (KY) and Tony Gonzales (TX) – have publicly declared their opposition to the CR, forcing Johnson to seek Democratic votes for passage. This dynamic gives House Democrats unusual leverage in negotiations, with party leaders threatening to withhold support unless Republicans abandon plans linking government funding to future spending reductions.
Historical analysis shows that continuing resolutions typically reduce agency flexibility, delaying new initiatives and creating operational challenges. A 2023 Government Accountability Office report found that CRs cost taxpayers an average of $80 million daily in inefficient spending when agencies can't launch new programs. This context adds urgency to bipartisan calls for completing full-year appropriations bills rather than relying on temporary fixes.
Senate negotiations present additional hurdles, with Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) vowing to block the House CR. This opposition means Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) would need to secure at least eight Democratic votes to overcome procedural obstacles – a challenging prospect given progressive objections to the bill's framework. Some moderate Democrats suggest supporting a shorter 45-day CR to allow additional negotiation time, though House Republicans have rejected this approach.
The standoff highlights evolving political strategies since the 35-day 2018-2019 shutdown that cost the economy $11 billion. Both parties now appear wary of bearing public blame for service disruptions, particularly with key states like Pennsylvania and Arizona facing tight election races. However, fundamental disagreements about spending priorities and the role of government continue to complicate last-minute deals.