Trump endorses ‘clean’ CR as government shutdown looms

The Looming Shutdown and the Race to Pass a Continuing Resolution

The threat of a government shutdown in mid-March has intensified as lawmakers race to pass a continuing resolution (CR) to fund federal operations through the end of September. President Donald Trump has thrown his weight behind the idea of a clean, temporary funding bill, emphasizing the need for stability amid ongoing budget negotiations. In a Truth Social post, Trump criticized the Biden administration for leaving behind a fiscal "mess," noting that last year’s budget remains unresolved. He urged Congress to act swiftly, calling for a "clean CR" to keep spending flat while deeper cuts and reforms are finalized. With time running out, the stakes are high for lawmakers to avoid a shutdown and ensure continuity of government services.

President Trump’s Endorsement and Rep. Chip Roy’s Support

President Trump’s endorsement of a continuing resolution has gained traction among key Republican lawmakers. Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) has publicly backed Trump’s request, stating that he will support a clean CR to maintain current spending levels. Roy emphasized that the CR would provide a critical window for the Department of Education and Labor (DOGE) to identify and implement spending cuts, while also allowing Congress to prepare a fiscal year 2026 appropriations package focused on reducing waste and aligning with conservative priorities. His support underscores the broader Republican strategy to use the CR as a stopgap measure while pushing for more substantial fiscal reforms in the coming months.

Speaker Mike Johnson on Anomalies and Spending Adjustments

House Speaker Mike Johnson has highlighted the flexibility of a continuing resolution, suggesting that lawmakers could include "anomalies" to adjust spending levels in specific areas. During a CNN appearance, Johnson clarified that while the CR would largely maintain current funding levels, it could incorporate targeted changes to reflect "new realities" such as reduced government spending and greater efficiency. For instance, Johnson noted that language could be added to cut funding for certain programs, such as those linked to the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). This approach would allow lawmakers to make selective adjustments without derailing the broader funding bill. Johnson’s comments suggest a pragmatic willingness to tweak the CR to address conservative priorities while avoiding a shutdown.

Republican Divisions Over the Continuing Resolution

Despite President Trump and Speaker Johnson’s backing, not all Republicans are on board with the idea of a continuing resolution. Rep. Eli Crane (R-Ariz.) has expressed skepticism, stating that he would struggle to vote for a clean CR given his concerns about the administration’s spending habits. Crane’s reservations highlight broader divisions within the Republican caucus, with some lawmakers pushing for deeper cuts and others advocating for a more cautious approach. Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) has also criticized the CR, questioning the purpose of DOGE if its recommendations are not explicitly reflected in the funding bill. These internal disagreements underscore the challenges House Republicans face in uniting behind a fiscal strategy ahead of the shutdown deadline.

Proposed Spending Changes in the CR

The White House budget office has shared a list of proposed anomalies with lawmakers, outlining potential changes to the CR that could either increase or decrease spending. One notable example is a request to allocate an additional $3.654 billion to the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program, which provides assistance to low-income families. Without this funding, the document warns that approximately 230,000 households could lose access to critical housing support in 2025. On the other hand, the proposal also includes a call to rescind $20.2 billion in funding for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), targeting money enacted under the Inflation Reduction Act. These anomalies reflect the competing priorities within the federal budget and the administration’s efforts to balance urgent needs with fiscal conservatism.

Democratic Demands and White House Silence

Democrats have seized on the shutdown debate to push for resumed funding for certain programs, leveraging their newfound leverage in negotiations. While the White House has not publicly commented on the CR proposal, the document obtained by CQ Roll Call suggests that the administration is actively engaged in shaping the funding bill. Lawmakers like Rep. Chip Roy and Speaker Mike Johnson are walking a fine line, balancing the immediate need for a CR with the longer-term goal of enacting meaningful spending reforms. With time running out, the coming days will be critical in determining whether Congress can reach a consensus to avoid a shutdown and keep the government running smoothly.