Donald Trump’s second term is set to take a distinctive turn this week as he seeks Congressional support to solidify aspects of his vision for the nation, following weeks of exercising extensive and contentious executive authority.
House Republicans are aiming to vote on a bill that would extend federal funding through the end of September. Should they succeed, after abandoning negotiations with Democrats on a bipartisan solution, they will instigate a confrontation in the Senate that could lead to a detrimental government shutdown.
Democrats will face a critical decision regarding whether to oppose the bill through a filibuster. If they choose to block it, they risk being held accountable for a government shutdown unless they can persuade the public that the responsibility lies with Trump. Conversely, if they permit the bill to pass, they may again appear to lack the resolve and determination to challenge Trump’s administration.
The unfolding situation leading up to Friday’s funding deadline could significantly affect the lives and welfare of millions of Americans. A shutdown could result in essential government employees going unpaid and many others being furloughed. It would disrupt vital services, including airport security, border operations, and national parks. This turmoil would exacerbate the instability triggered by Trump’s return to the Oval Office, as his aggressive stance on tariffs unsettles the economy and Elon Musk’s erratic actions regarding the federal government create further disorder.
Moreover, Trump intensified this uncertainty by not dismissing the possibility of a recession during an interview that aired on Sunday on Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures.” He reaffirmed his commitment to his trade war policies while downplaying the recent decline in stock markets, which he typically regards as a key indicator of economic health.
A significant challenge awaits Speaker Johnson and Senate Democrats. The upcoming congressional session will serve as an early assessment of House Speaker Mike Johnson’s ability to implement Trump’s agenda with a slim Republican majority. Stopgap spending measures typically alienate conservative fiscal conservatives and members of the far-right Freedom Caucus. However, Trump is urging his party to present a united front, framing this initiative— which maintains overall spending levels while increasing funding for his priorities such as defense and border security—as an initial step towards substantial government reductions in the future.
House Speaker Mike Johnson addresses reporters at the US Capitol on March 6, 2025. Francis Chung/Politico/AP
Republican leaders are informing their members that the passage of the stopgap funding measure, referred to as a continuing resolution, would provide additional time to formalize Musk’s proposed government cuts in subsequent legislation and prevent a division within the GOP that could obstruct Trump’s ambitious plans, including significant tax reductions.
Nevertheless, the inability to produce comprehensive spending proposals for individual government departments and the choice to defer critical decisions raises concerns about the House majority’s effectiveness. For example, the bill does not address the urgent need to raise the government’s borrowing limit—an impending crisis that could trigger economic repercussions within weeks without immediate intervention. Additionally, it does not incorporate Musk’s proposed reductions in federal jobs and programs into law, likely due to their contentious nature, which could jeopardize GOP cohesion.
Trump is counting on the support for Musk’s initiatives among MAGA base voters to persuade GOP lawmakers, who are typically hesitant about such measures, to endorse this temporary solution. “All Republicans should vote (Please!) YES next week,” he posted on Truth Social, emphasizing, “NO DISSENT.”