Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) is working to pass a continuing resolution to fund the government before a March 14 deadline. Johnson has enlisted President Donald Trump to try to convince a small group of House Freedom Caucus members to get in line and vote for Johnson's bill to fund the government at current spending levels through the end of September.
Johnson can ill afford any defections in his camp but several Republican lawmakers have said they will not vote for funding legislation without a serious commitment to balancing the budget. Republican fiscal hawks are citing findings from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) led by Elon Musk about wasteful government spending.
"I'll vote against a clean CR that funds everything in 2025 at 2024 levels because: One: [Speaker Johnson] isn't following the provision in law that would have cut everything by 1 percent if the CR extended past April,” said Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) outlining his objections. “Two: We should not fund the waste, fraud and abuse that DOGE has found. Three: These are supposed to be 12 separate bills. Four: We were told that the CR in December that got us to March would allow us to prioritize Trump's agenda this March using the checkbook.”
House Democrats have vowed to oppose Johnson’s full-year continuing resolution because they say Republicans are giving Musk and Trump leeway to shut off and repurpose funding at government agencies as they see fit.
“Instead of joining Democrats to protect the middle class, working people, veterans and small businesses, Republicans are protecting the interests of unchecked billionaire Elon Musk and trying to pass a power grab full-year continuing resolution that would be a blank check for President Trump,” said House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (D-CT).
This article was provided to OSAP by ASAE's Power of Associations and Inroads.