As budget talks continue in the Senate, there is talk of a possible government shutdown. Senate Republicans need at least seven Democrats to vote for the bill to get a 60-vote majority.
Senate Republicans won’t support a bill with Democrat provisions designed to slow President Donald Trump’s agenda.
“The bigger issue is the Democrats’ insistence on putting poison pills into the bill that would restrict the president’s abilities,” Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) said.
It is unlikely that Congress will reach a deal before the March 14 deadline, but there is still an option for a compromise.
Collins said she is confident in reaching a deal with the Democrats. She said she is close to an agreement to continue funding at its current rate until Sep. 30. Such an option would give both sides time to reach a compromise rather than hastily pushing through a bill that no one is happy with.
“We are working hard to do our responsibility to keep the government open,” said House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA). “We need our Democrat colleagues to come to the table and be reasonable about that.”
Rep. John Rutherford (R-FL) said Democrats are to blame for the shutdown if they vote against the extension.
Democrats, however, are already blaming Republicans for a prospective budget deal failure.
“Unfortunately, it appears that Republicans, who control the House, the Senate, and the presidency, are once again determined to shut the government down and hurt everyday Americans,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) said.
Democrats would be wise to agree to the stopgap option. If they don’t, it would be apparent that a shutdown would be their fault, putting Jeffries in the wrong.
Trump said he approved of a temporary extension in a Truth Social post last week.
“We are working very hard with the House and Senate to pass a clean, temporary government funding Bill (“CR”) to the end of September. Let’s get it done!” Trump said.
Such an idea seems reasonable. The current funding plan passed under the Biden administration, so Democrats should support it. It is in Republicans’ best interest because it keeps the government open, allowing Trump to continue his agenda in some capacity while allowing time for negotiations. It is also in Democrats’ best interest because it would give them time to find meaningful compromises without having to take the blame for a government shutdown.
PENNSYLVANIA DEMOCRAT LOATHES HER CONSTITUENTS
Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) said Democrats “are at the table negotiating in good faith to fund the government.”
Now is the time to prove it.