Can Trump overcome this?
As Congress faces the looming March 14 deadline to fund the government, there’s growing concern among Republican lawmakers that President Trump’s fiscal priorities—particularly his funding freezes and attempts to dismantle specific government agencies—could remain in place for longer than originally anticipated thanks to Biden’s actions. As negotiations stall, the likelihood of a stopgap measure (also known as a continuing resolution or CR) extending through September is rising, pushing back efforts to finalize the appropriations bills for fiscal year 2025.
House Appropriations Committee Chair Tom Cole (R-Okla.) recently expressed that many members of Congress are leaning towards a CR, especially since Congress is already behind schedule on funding decisions. “As an appropriator, that worries me,” Cole remarked, adding that some lawmakers are advocating for a CR to avoid any further disruption until they can align their funding plans with President Trump’s policies.
At the same time, bipartisan talks have become more contentious as Trump’s executive actions, including freezes on certain appropriated funds, create significant friction with Democrats. Tensions are reaching a boiling point, with Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) accusing Democrats of deliberately stalling negotiations and seeking a government shutdown. He pointed to comments from House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) as evidence of their lack of cooperation in securing a top-line funding number for the upcoming fiscal year.
The White House has made it clear that Trump’s executive orders pausing funding, especially for climate change and infrastructure projects central to Biden’s agenda, remain in effect despite challenges in the courts. Democrats, like Rep. Rosa DeLauro (Conn.), are demanding assurances that the funding for key agencies like USAID will not be further undermined by the administration’s freeze.
While some Republicans, such as Rep. Warren Davidson (R-Ohio), are hopeful that any new funding legislation will align with Trump’s orders, others like Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) are open to a full-year CR as long as it maintains restraint on spending. Despite reservations about the CR continuing funding for agencies like USAID, Roy suggests that if it’s necessary to get fiscal restraint, it may be the best course of action for now.
Adding to the complexity, Congress faces an April 30 deadline to prevent automatic cuts to government programs, a scenario stemming from an earlier agreement between the Biden administration and GOP leadership. Cole indicated that a CR maintaining funding levels from the previous agreement would prevent those cuts. However, he emphasized the urgency of addressing the March 14 deadline first.
In the Senate, Republicans are pushing a plan led by Senate Budget Committee Chair Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) to prioritize national defense and border security in the funding discussions, possibly bypassing Democratic resistance. This proposal includes a significant $150 billion increase for defense, a move that could influence the outcome of bipartisan talks.
The uncertainty surrounding Trump’s funding policies continues to shape the debate, with many Republicans hopeful that future funding legislation will support Trump’s agenda, especially when it comes to border security, defense, and limiting wasteful government spending. The stakes are high as lawmakers scramble to navigate the complex landscape of government funding while trying to fulfill their responsibilities to the American people.