Trump Urges Republicans to Delay Spending Bills

In Washington, President Trump encouraged Republicans on Monday to postpone short-term spending bills that could prevent partial government shutdowns later this month.

GOP leadership is working quietly to prepare measures that would keep the government funded until November 21. However, the details of this plan, which takes effect at midnight on October 1, have not been released yet.

“Includes Republicans from Congressional Republicans,” Senate Majority Leader John Tune and House Speaker Mike Johnson noted. They expressed their aim to create a “clean” funding extension to prevent Chuck Schumer from shutting down the government. Trump echoed this on his social platform, voicing the need for Republicans to unite and support the Clean CR this week.

“In these times, we really have to push back against the radical Left Democrats,” he added, urging, “Stick together and vote ‘Yes!’”

On the other side, Democratic leadership has signaled a potential shutdown at 11:59 PM on September 30th. Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries emphasized on social media that spending bills laden with partisan attacks on healthcare are far from “clean.”

To avert a shutdown, Republicans will need some backing from Senate Democrats, as the Continuing Resolution requires 60 votes to overcome the legislative filibuster. The GOP holds 53 Senate seats, assuming all members are present.

Recently, Jeffries and Schumer indicated they were seeking concessions regarding healthcare funding, after Schumer faced backlash from Progressives for not obstructing GOP-backed spending resolutions earlier in the year. Schumer defended his position, claiming he acted based on what he believed was right, although he acknowledged that circumstances have changed since then.

Meanwhile, Republicans need to maintain unity as a few House members have expressed reservations about continuing resolutions. Representative Victoria Spartz warned that she doesn’t support funding that “ends just before major holidays,” referring to Thanksgiving.

Representative Thomas Massey, no stranger to opposing such measures, stated he wouldn’t back the resolutions unless there’s a commitment to cut spending.

Republicans can afford to lose just two votes in the House, provided all members are present. GOP leadership aims to have a continuous resolution ready for Trump by the end of this week to avoid any last-minute complications.