Trump Rallies GOP Behind Johnson's Last-Minute Shutdown Prevention Plan
Paul Riverbank, 3/9/2025Trump backs House GOP's spending plan to prevent shutdown, despite Democratic opposition.
The latest congressional funding showdown has taken an unexpected turn, with House Republicans unveiling a spending package that's drawn surprising allies – and predictable opposition.
Having spent the past week analyzing the proposed continuing resolution, I'm struck by several noteworthy elements. The $892.5 billion defense allocation represents a modest increase, while the roughly 8% reduction in nondefense spending to $708 billion signals a clear ideological stance. This asymmetry in funding priorities tells us much about the current Republican strategy.
What's particularly fascinating is the political choreography at play. Speaker Johnson, still finding his footing in leadership, has crafted a measure that somehow managed to secure Donald Trump's endorsement – no small feat given the former president's occasional unpredictability on spending matters. Trump's social media proclamation calling for Republican unity wasn't subtle, but it was effective in rallying the base.
I've watched countless funding battles unfold on Capitol Hill, but this one has unique characteristics. Rep. Ralph Norman's support particularly caught my attention. Norman, traditionally a hardliner against continuing resolutions, offered a strikingly blunt assessment: "What's the alternative? Negotiate with Democrats? No." This departure from his usual stance suggests deeper political calculations at work.
The Democratic response has been swift and predictable, though not without merit. Leader Jeffries's concerns about healthcare and veterans' benefits reflect real policy implications. Sen. Murray's colorful characterization of the bill as a "chainsaw" to family programs may be hyperbolic, but it underscores genuine anxiety about program cuts.
The exclusion of earmarks – those beloved local project funds – represents a significant departure from recent practice. While this might appeal to fiscal conservatives, it's likely to complicate the bill's path through Congress, where such funding often helps secure crucial votes.
Speaker Johnson's promise of a "very different process" for fiscal 2026 sounds encouraging, but I've heard similar pledges before. The real test will be whether this temporary measure can thread the needle between competing interests in time to avoid a shutdown.
With just days until the March 14 deadline, and considering the House's razor-thin Republican majority, we're watching a high-stakes political gambit unfold. The outcome will tell us much about the current state of congressional leadership and party dynamics.
