Congress has less than two weeks to extend federal spending laws and keep the government open, but a clash over President Donald Trump’s attempt to seize powers delegated to lawmakers is threatening to stall talks and force a shutdown.
The administration, including budget chief Russell Vought and Elon Musk’s DOGE team, argues that the president has the power to withhold money Congress orders spent, citing a post-Watergate law as unconstitutional. However, Democrats want assurances from congressional Republicans and the White House that the administration will actually spend the money included in any new law.
The current funding law expires on March 14. “Money is just being pilfered,” said Rep. Rosa DeLauro (Connecticut), House Democrats’ chief negotiator. “If we’re going to go through the agreement and get the topline, hammer it all out, and someone comes along and upends it, that’s what we want to try to avoid.”
Trump will address a joint session of Congress on Tuesday night, where he is expected to defend his administration’s position. Congressional Republicans are broadly supportive of the president’s stance, but Democrats say they won’t back down from their demands.
The standoff has appropriators warming to a long-term continuing resolution, or CR, which would extend federal funding at current levels through the fiscal year. However, even a CR does not protect congressionally authorized funding from unlawful impoundments.
With less than two weeks to act, Congress must navigate this complex and contentious issue to avoid a shutdown that could harm federal workers, businesses, and American families.
Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2025/03/03/government-shutdown-trump-spending-powers