March 14 funding deadline creeping up on Congress

WASHINGTON (Gray DC) - Lawmakers have until March 14 to come to an agreement on government funding.

This comes as Congress debates President Donald Trump’s budget priorities. For now, a “continuing resolution”, or CR, would keep top-line spending at their current levels. That in effect, is a cut due to increased costs and changing needs. Republicans said now isn’t the time for a fiscal fight.

“Don’t stop momentum that is so great right now,” Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) said. “With what DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) is doing, what he’s uncovering. Don’t stop it now. He doesn’t want to have to deal with a shutdown, who is to blame. He wants to move forward with his programs and loophole his agenda.”

A continuing resolution would fund the government through September. The Freedom Caucus, a group of far-right Republicans, is typically against CRs. But Caucus Chair Andy Harris (R-Md.) says they trust the president’s plan.

“Look, the president has indicated the president’s been clear the istration will withhold funding that’s inappropriately spent,” Rep. Harris (R-Md.) said. “Whether or not this whether or not there’s a C.R. or not or an appropriations bill, the president will withhold funding.”

Democrats say the President’s ability to control funding and use it as political leverage is a poison pill for them.

“A year-long continuing resolution is inconsistent with the bipartisan Fiscal Responsibility Act, and so if Republicans decide to take this approach, as Speaker Johnson indicated, it’s his expectation that Republicans are going it alone,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.).

Republicans control 53 seats in the Senate but 60 votes are required to move funding measures forward.

The House is expected to take it’s first floor votes Tuesday. Republicans hold a razor thin majority in that chamber.