House Republicans, led by Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), have introduced a six-month stopgap funding plan aimed at averting a government shutdown on March 14. The proposal, endorsed by former President Donald Trump, would fund federal agencies through September while cutting nondefense spending and increasing military funding. The plan sets the stage for a high-stakes showdown between Republicans and Democrats, with both sides positioning themselves for a contentious debate over government funding and federal spending priorities.
What’s in the Plan?
The proposed continuing resolution (CR) would maintain government operations until the end of the fiscal year on September 30. Key elements of the bill include:
- A $13 billion cut to nondefense discretionary spending from 2024 levels.
- A $6 billion increase in defense spending.
- Additional funding for border enforcement.
- Pay raises for junior enlisted military personnel.
- Increased funding for veterans’ healthcare and housing.
- A rescission of $20 billion in IRS funding.
According to House Republican leadership, the military funding increase is designed to win over defense hawks who have criticized previous stopgap measures for underfunding national security. The bill also grants the Defense Department more flexibility to start new programs and reallocate funds, an issue that has been a major concern for some Republicans.
One of the more controversial aspects of the bill is the lack of congressionally directed spending, commonly referred to as “earmarks.” Typically, funding bills include specific projects requested by lawmakers for their districts. However, Speaker Johnson’s proposal eliminates these allocations. Some critics argue that this shift effectively hands spending power over to the executive branch, particularly if Trump returns to office in 2025.
Trump’s Endorsement and GOP Unity
Trump has strongly backed the bill, using his social media platform, Truth Social, to rally Republican lawmakers behind the measure. “The House and Senate have put together, under the circumstances, a very good funding bill,” he wrote. “All Republicans should vote (Please!) YES next week.” He added in capital letters, “NO DISSENT.”
His endorsement is seen as a strategic move to unify House Republicans, particularly hardline conservatives who have previously rejected continuing resolutions. In past funding negotiations, Johnson has had to rely on Democratic votes to pass similar measures, given that more than a dozen House Republicans have historically opposed stopgap bills. However, Trump’s influence may be enough to sway many of these GOP holdouts this time around. Some Republicans have also indicated they are willing to support the measure because it aligns with their longer-term goals of securing tax cuts and deeper spending reductions later this year.
Democratic Opposition and Concerns
Democrats have widely condemned the proposal, arguing that it undermines essential government programs and gives Trump and his allies excessive control over federal spending. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) has cast doubt on the bill’s viability, suggesting that Republicans will struggle to secure enough votes to pass it without Democratic support.
Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), the top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, issued a strong rebuke of the bill, calling it a “power grab for the White House” and warning that it would allow “unchecked billionaire Elon Musk and President Trump to steal from the American people.”
She also criticized the bill’s impact on veterans’ healthcare, particularly the decision to eliminate funding for the Toxic Exposures Fund, which supports veterans suffering from exposure to hazardous substances such as Agent Orange and burn pits. “Reading the CR bill text now,” she posted on X. “Republicans are zeroing out the Toxic Exposures Fund (to care for veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances) on October 1. They cut $23 billion from their own bill they passed last year. You can’t make this stuff up.”
Other Democrats have echoed similar concerns, arguing that the Republican plan prioritizes military spending while cutting funding for domestic programs that millions of Americans rely on. Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, warned that the bill would strip Congress of its traditional power over budget decisions. “Congress should pass a short-term measure to prevent a shutdown and finish work on bipartisan funding bills to ensure our constituents have a say in how federal funding is spent,” she said.
Will It Pass?
The bill faces significant challenges in both the House and Senate. In the House, Republicans hold a narrow 218-214 majority, meaning they can only afford to lose a handful of votes if all Democrats oppose the measure. Speaker Johnson has expressed confidence that he has enough Republican votes to pass the bill, but some GOP lawmakers remain skeptical.
Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) highlighted the uncertainty surrounding the vote, stating on X: “I’m a NO vote. Republicans always vote against a CR. Since they claim they have a mandate, let’s see if they vote for it.”
On the Republican side, some hardline conservatives are still hesitant. Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) told reporters, “I’m ruminating on it.” Similarly, Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) acknowledged speaking with Trump about the plan but admitted he still had questions. “Is it truly going to be clean? Is appropriations going to add a bunch of amendments for the Pentagon?” he asked.
Even if the bill clears the House, it faces another hurdle in the Senate, where it needs at least 60 votes to pass. Republicans hold only 53 seats, meaning they would need support from at least seven Democrats. Given the strong opposition from Democratic leaders, securing those votes appears unlikely without significant changes to the bill.
The Stakes
If Congress fails to pass a funding bill by March 14, the government will shut down, leading to furloughs for federal employees and disruptions to public services. Essential workers, including military personnel, would continue working without pay until a resolution is reached.
Government programs have already been running on temporary funding measures since October, the start of the 2025 fiscal year. Democratic negotiators have expressed concerns that yet another CR, particularly one lasting until September, could negatively impact defense programs, healthcare services, and veteran benefits.
Meanwhile, Republicans insist that their plan is necessary to rein in government spending and set the stage for broader fiscal reforms. “The costs of deterring war pale in comparison to the costs of fighting one,” Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) wrote in an op-ed published in The Washington Post. “If Congress is unwilling to make deterrent investments today, then discussions about urgency of looming threats—particularly the ‘pacing threat’ of China—carries little weight.”
The next few days will be crucial in determining whether Speaker Johnson can secure enough votes to pass the bill and avoid a shutdown. With Trump actively pushing for party unity and Democrats standing firm in opposition, the fate of the proposal remains uncertain. If the bill fails, Congress will have only a few days left to find an alternative solution before federal funding expires.
