House Republicans have introduced a spending bill that aims to fund government agencies through Sept. 30, setting the stage for a high-stakes power struggle in Congress.
The move forces Democrats to either support the bill or risk a devastating government shutdown on March 15.
The legislation, backed by President Donald Trump, is expected to face strong opposition from Democrats. House Speaker Mike Johnson will attempt to muster his party’s narrow majority to pass the 99-page bill through the House on Tuesday, likely without Democratic support. But its fate in the Senate remains uncertain because it needs support from moderate Democrats to reach the 60-vote threshold required.
Despite the divisions along party lines, both parties have signaled they will not allow a government shutdown. If the bill fails, lawmakers may be forced to take temporary action to extend funding while negotiations continue since the fiscal year began in October.
Trump has urged Republican lawmakers to support the measure without opposition, arguing that it is necessary to stabilize the country’s finances.
“I ask you to give us a few months, until September, so we can continue to get the nation’s ‘fiscal house’ in order,” Trump said on Truth Social.
The interim bill, drafted in consultation with the White House, would allow the administration to continue cost-cutting efforts under Elon Musk’s controversial Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Democrats have sought to impose restrictions on Musk’s budget authority, while Republicans have resisted such efforts.
The bill proposes modest cuts to discretionary spending through the end of the fiscal year, which Trump has signaled will pave the way for more ambitious fiscal policies, including $4.5 trillion in tax cuts and $2 trillion in spending cuts over the next decade.
*This is not investment advice.
