Government Shutdown Looms as Disputes Over DOGE Cuts Stall Funding Negotiations

With just 11 days left until the federal government runs out of money, Congress is hurtling toward a potential shutdown as partisan disputes over funding and DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) cuts show no signs of resolution. Despite efforts to pivot toward a stopgap bill to keep the government running, disagreements between Republicans and Democrats are creating significant roadblocks.

The government is set to run out of funding by March 14, and while Republicans control both the House and Senate, they need Democratic support to pass any funding bill due to the Senate’s 60-vote threshold. Hopes for a comprehensive funding deal have faded, leaving lawmakers scrambling to pass a short-term continuing resolution (CR) to keep the government operational through the end of the fiscal year. However, even this temporary solution is facing resistance.

Partisan Gridlock Over DOGE Cuts

At the heart of the dispute are the DOGE-led budget cuts, championed by President Donald Trump and his billionaire adviser Elon Musk. These cuts aim to streamline government operations by slashing funding to agencies deemed inefficient. While Republicans argue that the cuts are necessary to eliminate waste, Democrats view them as an overreach of executive power and a threat to essential programs.

Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) expressed pessimism about reaching a deal, stating, “I’m not optimistic. I don’t think we’re going to have a budget.” He pointed to Democratic demands for language limiting the executive branch’s involvement in spending decisions as a major sticking point.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) echoed these concerns, calling for a stopgap measure to freeze funding at current levels while incorporating savings from the DOGE initiative. “Democrats have to help negotiate this, and they’ve to this point shown no interest in finding a reasonable solution,” Johnson said during an appearance on NBC’s Meet the Press.

Democrats Push Back

Democrats, however, are pushing back against the DOGE cuts, arguing that they undermine Congress’s authority over spending decisions. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) emphasized that Democrats are open to a deal that promotes the “economic well-being, health, and safety of everyday Americans.” However, he criticized the lack of outreach from the Trump administration and accused House Republicans of abandoning negotiations.

The White House has requested several “anomalies” or add-ons to the funding bill, including a $32billiontransferauthorityfortheDefenseDepartmentanda$20 billion cut to IRS enforcement. These requests have further complicated negotiations, with Democrats like Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) calling them “completely inadequate.”

A Two-Track Approach

Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), chair of the Appropriations Committee, is working on a two-track approach that includes both a full-year continuing resolution and a short-term bill to buy more time for negotiations. “We need to give ourselves a little more time to work out the details,” Collins told NBC News.

However, passing a stopgap bill in the House remains a challenge. With a narrow GOP majority of 218-215, Speaker Johnson may need Democratic votes to secure passage. While Democrats typically support short-term funding measures, their opposition to the DOGE cuts has created a rare point of unity against the CR.

Moderate Republicans Voice Concerns

Even within the Republican Party, there is dissent. Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas) and Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) have both criticized the idea of another continuing resolution. Gonzales argued that Congress needs to pass regular appropriation bills rather than relying on temporary fixes, while Bacon warned that a CR would harm military readiness and national security.

Despite these challenges, Speaker Johnson has secured support from his GOP leadership team for the CR plan. Rep. Andy Harris (R-Md.), chairman of the House Freedom Caucus, expressed optimism, stating, “I think we’re charting new territory here with President Trump and his striving to get government efficiency going.”

A Race Against Time

As the clock ticks down, the stakes are high. A government shutdown would disrupt federal services, furlough workers, and create uncertainty for millions of Americans. While some lawmakers remain hopeful that a last-minute deal will emerge, others are bracing for the worst.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) summed up the frustration, stating, “The Republicans have the majority. They need to put forward a package that can pass the House and the Senate. That’s their job.”

With partisan tensions running high and time running out, the path to avoiding a shutdown remains uncertain. One thing is clear: the coming days will test the limits of compromise in a deeply divided Congress.

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