Crunch Time: Partial Government Shutdown Looms, Chaos Brews in Congress

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., is racing against the clock to push through a bill that could stave off a partial government shutdown just days before the deadline. A House vote is scheduled for Tuesday, and if all goes according to Johnson’s plan, federal agencies will stay funded through September 30.

But here’s the kicker: Johnson is banking on Republicans carrying the 99-page legislation alone. Support from Democrats? Not happening. This isn’t Johnson’s first rodeo, though, and he’s willing to roll the dice.

The stakes are high. Congress has until Friday, March 14, to avoid a partial shutdown. Former President Donald Trump has jumped into the fray, urging Republicans to unite and back the bill. On TRUTHSocial, Trump pleaded with his party, calling it “a very good funding Bill ('CR')” and urging all Republicans to vote yes. Trump’s pitch? “Give us a few months to get through to September so we can continue to put the Country’s ‘financial house’ in order.” Oh, and he didn’t miss the chance to take a jab at Democrats, accusing them of wanting to shut down the government.

Trump’s rallying cry emphasized unity, but not everyone in his party is on board. Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., bluntly declared his opposition, calling the CR a “cut-copy-paste omnibus” and lamenting what he sees as a cycle of punting on real reforms. Massie quipped on X, “Why would I vote to continue the waste fraud and abuse DOGE has found? Here we are in March, punting again! WTFO.” (Translation: He’s not a fan of the status quo.)

Still, there are allies in the mix. Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., admitted he’s never been a fan of continuing resolutions but is backing Johnson’s effort, citing confidence in Trump and the Department of Government Efficiency, now helmed by Elon Musk. Norman pragmatically noted, “What’s the alternative? Negotiate with Democrats? No.”

House Republican aides detailed the bill’s provisions, including $892.5 billion in discretionary federal defense spending and $708 billion for non-defense discretionary spending. While the White House hasn’t officially stamped its approval, the bill includes an additional $8 billion in defense spending and trims $13 billion from non-defense budgets. There’s even $6 billion earmarked for veteran healthcare. These moves are clearly meant to appeal to both fiscal conservatives and national security hawks.

Among the more contentious aspects, the bill includes added funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to address a budget shortfall dating back to the Biden administration. House GOP leadership also highlighted cost-saving measures like eliminating earmarks and cutting “side deals” from the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA) negotiations.

However, the bill leaves out major entitlement programs like Social Security and Medicare, which run on automatic funding. Predictably, this omission has Democrats fuming. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., and other Democratic leaders have vowed to vote no, with Rep. Rosa DeLauro calling the CR “a power grab for the White House.” Sen. Patty Murray went further, accusing the legislation of giving Donald Trump and Elon Musk undue control over federal spending. Talk about drama!

Meanwhile, Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, who chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee, stressed the importance of avoiding a shutdown. “We cannot allow that to occur,” she said, citing the ripple effects on essential government workers like Border Patrol agents and air traffic controllers.

As the clock ticks down, the political theater is in full swing. Will House Republicans rally behind Johnson’s plan? Or will another shutdown showdown throw a wrench in the works? One thing’s for sure: Washington never sleeps when it comes to drama.