Special Poll
Trump May Have to Work with Biden’s Spending Plans for Longer Than Expected
Former President Trump may find himself navigating federal spending decisions shaped by the Biden administration for longer than Republicans initially anticipated.
As Congress struggles to reach a bipartisan agreement on government funding, hopes of meeting the upcoming March 14 deadline to avoid a shutdown are dimming. Many lawmakers believe a temporary funding extension—known as a continuing resolution (CR)—will be necessary, particularly with an April 30 deadline also looming to prevent automatic budget cuts.
The Growing Likelihood of a Stopgap Budget
House Appropriations Committee Chair Tom Cole (R-Okla.) acknowledged this week that support for a longer-term CR, possibly extending through September, is increasing. Lawmakers remain months behind in finalizing federal funding bills for fiscal year 2025.
“That’s something that worries me,” Cole admitted, adding that many Republicans would prefer to hold off on new funding agreements until after Trump can implement his own budget priorities.
While bipartisan discussions continue on setting a broad spending framework, negotiations are becoming more challenging due to rising political tensions in Washington. Trump’s recent executive orders pausing funds for climate and infrastructure programs—initiatives central to Biden’s agenda—have fueled Democratic opposition and increased skepticism over Republican proposals.
Partisan Blame Game Over Funding Talks
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) accused Democrats of attempting to trigger a government shutdown, citing recent remarks from House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) and others.
“We were negotiating in good faith,” Johnson said, “but the Democrats have been unresponsive in the last two days.”
Democrats rejected these claims. Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), the top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, insisted that Democrats have presented funding proposals and are waiting on Republican responses.
Jeffries, meanwhile, hinted that Democrats are prepared to counter any efforts by Trump to restrict previously approved spending, particularly regarding foreign aid and domestic programs.
Uncertainty Over Trump’s Executive Orders
Despite the political back-and-forth, there’s still uncertainty about whether Trump’s executive orders to freeze or redirect funds will hold up in court. Some Republicans, like Rep. Warren Davidson (R-Ohio), hope that any new budget will align more closely with Trump’s policies.
“Ideally, the discretionary budget matches the president’s priorities,” Davidson said. “We shouldn’t just leave him hanging in the courts.”
Others, like Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas), acknowledge that a long-term CR may be the most practical solution to keep the government operating while negotiations continue.
“CRs aren’t my favorite, but we’re unlikely to get all the spending bills done by March 14,” Roy admitted. “If we must go that route, we should ensure the executive branch exercises spending restraint.”
The Road Ahead: GOP Pushes for New Funding Priorities
As Congress approaches an April deadline, lawmakers must pass a full-year budget or risk automatic cuts under the spending agreement previously reached between Biden and House GOP leaders.
Senate Republicans, led by Senate Budget Committee Chair Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), are also exploring alternative funding strategies that would prioritize border security and defense spending without Democratic input. Graham has introduced a proposal to increase defense spending by $150 billion while freezing other expenditures.
Whether such a plan can move forward remains uncertain, but Republicans see it as a way to reshape budget priorities while keeping the government running.
Cole acknowledged that balancing these competing priorities will be a challenge: “I’ve heard a lot of ideas, but right now, my main concern is March 14.”