Trump pressures GOP rebels ahead of vote to avert government shutdown

President Donald Trump is actively working to avoid a government shutdown at the end of this week by making calls to potential holdouts on a plan, a White House official confirmed to Fox News digital on Monday. With a vote scheduled for late Tuesday afternoon, Trump is reaching out to Capitol Hill in an effort to secure support for the bill.

The House and Senate must pass a bill and get it to Trump’s desk before the end of Friday to prevent a partial government shutdown. The proposed legislation is a continuing resolution that extends fiscal year 2024 funding levels, a move that has traditionally been rejected by Republicans who prefer the crafting of 12 annual appropriations bills by Congress.

House Democratic leaders have indicated that they will not rally against the CR as they have in previous years, accusing Republicans of using the bill to advance Trump and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency efforts. This shift in strategy has put pressure on Republicans to ensure a unified front during the upcoming vote.

Despite the outreach from the White House to lawmakers, not every House GOP member has been contacted. Some remain undecided on the bill and have not heard from the administration or House leadership. There are concerns among Republicans about dissent within their ranks, with Rep. Thomas Massie already voicing opposition to the CR.

While some moderate Democrats may vote to avoid a shutdown, Republicans are expected to bear the brunt of the responsibility. Former Trump campaign manager Chris LaCivita sent a pointed message to Massie, urging him to reconsider his stance. The political theater surrounding the bill has frustrated some Republicans who see dissenters as obstructionists.

Speaker Mike Johnson’s office and the White House have not responded to requests for comment at this time. The text of the 99-page continuing resolution was released by House Republicans over the weekend. Trump’s efforts to secure support for the bill have been credited with helping pass previous legislation, and his current outreach aims to ensure a unified front among Republicans.

In conclusion, President Trump’s engagement in securing support for the continuing resolution reflects the high stakes involved in avoiding a government shutdown. With the deadline looming, both parties are working to prevent a disruption in government operations. The outcome of the upcoming vote will have significant implications for the functioning of the government in the coming weeks.