Congress Faces March 15 Deadline to Avert Government Shutdown

House Speaker Mike Johnson pushes for a 'clean' stopgap funding bill while Democrats and some Republicans express concerns over the proposal.

Speaker Mike Johnson advocates for a continuing resolution (CR) to maintain current funding levels and prevent a partial government shutdown set to begin March 15.
Johnson accuses Democrats of being unwilling to negotiate, while Democrats claim Republicans have withdrawn from bipartisan discussions.
The proposed CR aligns with Trump administration priorities, including spending cuts through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initiative led by Elon Musk.
Some Republicans oppose the CR, arguing it undermines military funding and fails to address fiscal concerns, complicating efforts to secure bipartisan support.
Democratic leaders, including Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, express willingness to negotiate but criticize Republicans for prioritizing partisan agendas over essential programs like Social Security and Medicare.