Republicans will need Democrats’ help to pass funding bill by 14 March as hard-right lawmakers push to cut costs

Summary

With a government shutdown looming, Democrats are debating whether to use it as leverage against Trump’s sweeping federal cuts.

Some argue withholding support for a funding bill could challenge Trump’s radical restructuring, including mass firings and agency shutdowns.

The GOP-controlled Congress must secure Democratic votes to pass a funding bill, but hard-right demands complicate negotiations.

Concerns grow that Trump may exploit a shutdown to sideline federal agencies, raising fears that this could be the most disruptive shutdown yet.

  • ryathal@sh.itjust.works
    1·
    6 days ago

    It puts them in the tough spot of declaring Doge essential. That gives a huge opening for the Democrats to attack, when 80% of the government is shut down, that there is meaningful fraud in what Trump kept open. It’s also going to be hard to get someone to come in to unlock things when they aren’t getting paid. Even essential employees don’t get paid in a shutdown, they get back pay after like everyone else when Congress approves it.