Trump calls for Republicans to unite on CR to avoid government shutdown
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., is leading the charge for a crucial vote on Tuesday that could prevent a partial government shutdown in the first 100 days of President Donald Trump’s term. With Democrats showing little support, Johnson is banking on Republican strength to push through a 99-page bill that would fund federal agencies until Sept. 30.
The looming deadline of Friday, March 14, to avert a shutdown has put pressure on Congress to act swiftly. Despite previous conservative dissent on continuing resolutions, Trump has called for Republican unity to support the bill. In a post on TRUTHSocial, Trump urged all Republicans to vote in favor of the funding bill, emphasizing the need to keep the government running and avoid Democratic efforts to shut it down.
While some Republicans have expressed opposition to the bill, including Rep. Thomas Massie and Rep. Ralph Norman, Johnson remains optimistic about the prospects of passing the legislation. Norman, in particular, cited his confidence in Trump and the Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk, to address the nation’s debt concerns.
The bill outlines $892.5 billion in discretionary federal defense spending and $708 billion in non-defense discretionary spending. It includes an additional $8 billion for defense to address national security priorities and $6 billion for veterans’ healthcare. The White House has requested additional spending in areas such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to address operational shortfalls from the previous administration.
The legislation also adheres to spending caps established under the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA), limiting federal spending increases to 1% in FY 2025. Non-defense discretionary spending cuts will be achieved by eliminating certain side deals and earmarks, according to House GOP leadership aides.
However, Democratic leaders have expressed concerns about the bill’s impact on programs like Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. They argue that the legislation gives Trump and Musk undue influence over federal spending and could jeopardize essential services for families across the country.
Despite the partisan divide, Sen. Susan Collins emphasized the importance of preventing a government shutdown to avoid disruptions for essential government employees. Collins stressed that the negative consequences of a shutdown, including uncertainty over paychecks for workers like Border Patrol agents and TSA screeners, must be avoided at all costs.
As Congress gears up for the crucial vote, the focus remains on ensuring the government remains operational and that essential services are not disrupted. With the deadline fast approaching, lawmakers are under pressure to come together and find a solution that averts a potential shutdown and keeps the country running smoothly.
