Shutdown standoff looms in Congress’ final weeks before Trump’s return to White House

As the 118th Congress nears the end of its tumultuous two-year term, a potential standoff over government spending looms large. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., indicated to Fox News Digital that Republicans are unlikely to delay fiscal 2025 federal funding discussions into the new year. However, he made it clear that House Republicans are determined to resist combining all 12 annual appropriations bills into one massive “omnibus” package, setting the stage for a possible clash with Senate Democrats.

Scalise emphasized the importance of reaching an agreement on fiscal 2025 funding before President-elect Trump takes office so that Congress can focus on pressing current matters. He highlighted the implications for national security if Congress were to simply extend fiscal 2024 funding levels, stating that short-term funding bills hinder long-term procurement of essential defense systems needed to compete with countries like China.

In September, before recessing, House Republicans and Senate Democrats agreed to extend fiscal 2024 funding levels through a continuing resolution (CR) to avoid a government shutdown at the end of the fiscal year. This extension bought negotiators time until Dec. 20 to reach a deal. Despite calls from some Trump supporters to extend the CR into the new year, senior GOP lawmakers and national security hawks opposed this move.

Scalise expressed concerns that a clean funding extension of last year’s levels could put the U.S. at a disadvantage compared to China in terms of military technology. He also outlined several priorities for the beginning of Trump’s term, such as addressing the border crisis and extending tax cuts.

Currently, both sides remain far apart in the negotiations. House Republicans have accused Senate Democrats of stalling the process to push for an end-of-year omnibus bill with excessive spending and little transparency. Democrats, on the other hand, have criticized the House Republicans’ spending bills for imposing harsh cuts and conservative policies.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., has not ruled out the possibility of an omnibus bill this year. If an agreement is not reached by Dec. 20, the country could face a partial government shutdown just weeks before the new presidential administration takes office.

The fate of fiscal 2025 funding hangs in the balance as Congress grapples with competing priorities and ideological differences. The outcome of these negotiations will have significant implications for the future of government spending and national security. Stay tuned for further developments as the deadline approaches.