Trump Backs Johnson's Last-Ditch Shutdown Plan as Democrats Rage

Having covered Capitol Hill for over two decades, I've witnessed my fair share of funding battles. But this latest episode, with Speaker Johnson's "clean" continuing resolution proposal, presents a fascinating study in political brinksmanship.

Let's cut through the noise. Johnson's plan to extend current funding through September 2025 isn't really about fiscal responsibility – it's about political survival. I've watched new Speakers navigate these waters before, and Johnson's predicament reminds me of John Boehner's struggles back in 2011.

The dynamics at play are particularly intriguing. Trump's endorsement adds a wild card element that wouldn't have existed in previous shutdown scenarios. During my interview with a senior Republican staffer last week (who preferred to remain unnamed), they admitted the former president's involvement has complicated rather than simplified negotiations.

What strikes me as particularly noteworthy is Sen. Fetterman's break from Democratic ranks. I've known John since his days as Lieutenant Governor, and his blunt "bull***t" assessment of his party's opposition reflects the growing frustration among pragmatic legislators on both sides.

The Department of Government Efficiency situation deserves special attention. Having covered Elon Musk's various ventures over the years, I can't help but notice how his presence has transformed what would typically be a straightforward funding dispute into something more ideologically charged.

Here's what isn't getting enough attention: Johnson's razor-thin majority means he's essentially trying to thread a needle while wearing boxing gloves. With Massie and Gonzales already opposed, he'll need to perform political gymnastics that would make Houdini proud.

I remember similar deadlines in 2013 and 2018. The difference now? The institutional knowledge of how to avoid shutdowns has largely left the building, replaced by a new generation of legislators more comfortable with brinksmanship than compromise.

The Senate's preference for a shorter stopgap measure makes sense from a tactical perspective. But as one veteran appropriations staffer told me over coffee yesterday, "The days of clean continuing resolutions are about as dead as bipartisan softball games."

As March 14 approaches, I'm reminded of what my old mentor used to say: "In Washington, the solution is usually obvious to everyone – it's just getting there that's the hard part." Whether Johnson's gambit succeeds may depend less on the proposal's merits and more on Congress's appetite for another crisis.