As the deadline to prevent a government shutdown approaches, President Trump and Speaker Mike Johnson are advocating for a stopgap bill that would maintain federal funding at current levels until the end of the fiscal year on September 30.
This proposal is viewed by some Republicans as a concession, as it would continue spending levels established under former President Biden and does not reflect the budget cuts recommended by the Department of Government Efficiency. However, the president and speaker are promoting it as a strategy to avoid internal conflicts within the party while allowing Trump to make independent spending cuts.
On social media, Trump stated, “I am working with the GREAT House Republicans on a Continuing Resolution to fund the Government until September to give us some needed time to work on our Agenda.” He claimed that conservatives would support the bill since it would facilitate tax cuts and spending reductions in future negotiations.
The viability of the plan passing before the shutdown deadline remains uncertain. Trump's outreach aims to persuade far-right House members who typically oppose government spending, especially stopgap funding that does not reduce allocations for federal programs.
During a meeting at the White House, Trump encouraged hard-liners to support the extension, leading some skeptics to reconsider their positions, noting his prior willingness to bypass spending legislation for significant cuts.
Opposition to the proposal exists among both parties on the appropriations committees in the House and Senate, who argue it would deprive essential departments of funding and grant excessive spending authority to the executive branch. Senator Susan Collins, chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, criticized the plan for locking in programs that should be reduced and for not providing necessary increases to agencies like the Department of Defense.
Discussions are ongoing between Republicans and Democrats on the appropriations panels to reach an agreement that would allow Congress to pass individual spending bills for the remainder of the fiscal year. However, the timeline makes it unlikely that these measures can be enacted before the shutdown deadline.
Temporary funding extensions do not specify how federal funding should be allocated, granting the Trump administration broader discretion over significant sums of money while the president has already taken steps to withhold funds authorized by Congress for various programs.
Collins noted that the administration has requested an additional $30 billion for the Pentagon, which would shift much of the funding distribution responsibility to the executive branch.
Top Democrats are urging their members to oppose the proposed extension, advocating for continued negotiations among appropriators. Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries indicated that if Republicans pursue this route, they would be doing so independently.
Representative Rosa DeLauro, the top Democrat on the Appropriations Committee, expressed concern over relinquishing control of funding decisions to the executive branch, emphasizing the importance of legislative oversight.
DeLauro also pointed out that abandoning individual spending bills would jeopardize numerous earmarks sought by both parties, resulting in wasted efforts on spending measures.
Despite her concerns, Collins stated a preference for maintaining existing funding over allowing a government shutdown, which she described as a failure to govern.
The likelihood of House Republicans adopting this approach remains uncertain, as conservative lawmakers have historically opposed stopgap measures that extend current funding levels and consolidate all government funding into one bill.
After meeting with Trump, Representative Tim Burchett of Tennessee indicated he had not yet decided on supporting the measure, highlighting that his decision could depend on whether the bill is "clean" without additional policy riders or funding.
Others who have previously resisted temporary funding bills are now considering support under Trump's leadership, citing his ability to address unfavorable policies through executive actions.
Representative Chip Roy of Texas expressed a desire to freeze spending and counter bad policies, suggesting that avoiding a major appropriations battle might be more effective than pursuing extensive negotiations.