FLASH NEWS
Strong showdown with Democrats expected/ Republican lawmakers present budget bill to avoid government shutdown
2025-03-08 21:00:10 / BOTA
WASHINGTON – Republican lawmakers on Saturday introduced a budget spending proposal that would provide funding for federal agencies through September 30, while a tough showdown with Democratic lawmakers is expected over the contours of government spending.
President Donald Trump said Saturday that the House and Senate have put together a "very good funding bill" and urged Republican lawmakers to vote on it next week, warning that Democrats would "do anything" to shut down the government.
"I ask that you give us a few months to get us through September so we can continue to put our country's financial house in order," President Trump said in a message on the Truth Social network. "The Democrats will do anything they can to shut down our Government and we cannot allow that to happen."
The 99-page bill would provide a slight boost to defense programs while capping other programs below the 2024 budget year level. This approach is unlikely to be accepted by most Democratic lawmakers who have long insisted that spending on defense programs move in the same direction as other programs.
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said earlier this week that the Democratic caucus would meet to consider the proposal at the "appropriate time," but he took a stronger tone on Friday.
Rep. Jeffries said Democrats are willing to negotiate a "bipartisan, meaningful spending deal that puts working people first," while noting that the proposal risks cutting funding for key programs, such as those supporting veterans or low-income families.
Congress must make a decision by midnight Friday to avoid a partial government shutdown. Republicans hold a 218-214 majority in the House of Representatives, and a vote could be blocked even if just two Republican lawmakers vote against the bill. The situation is even more difficult in the Senate, where 60 out of 100 votes are needed, and at least seven Democratic senators would have to vote in favor of the bill if all 53 Republican senators vote in favor./VOA
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