Congress Faces March Deadline to Avert Potential Government Shutdown

Lawmakers struggle to finalize funding amid partisan divides, with stopgap measures and budget reconciliation on the table.

Congress has until March 14 to pass a funding bill or risk the first government shutdown in years.
Democrats and Republicans are negotiating annual funding bills but remain divided over spending levels and priorities.
House Speaker Mike Johnson has suggested a continuing resolution to maintain current funding through the fiscal year, though some Republicans oppose this approach.
Democrats are demanding guarantees that appropriated funds will be fully spent, citing concerns over Trump and Elon Musk's actions to reshape federal agencies without congressional approval.
Republicans are considering using budget reconciliation to bypass Senate filibusters and push through partisan funding priorities, including defense and border security increases.