The shift in power resulting from Republican victories in the presidential election and the Senate is setting the stage for intense debates over government funding, with Congress facing a critical deadline upon lawmakers’ return next week.
With the possibility of a Republican-controlled trifecta in Washington, GOP leaders are now in a commanding position, as they must decide whether to finalize the year’s funding or push the current Dec. 20 shutdown deadline into the new year, when President-elect Trump will assume office.
Though a temporary stopgap could provide a GOP-led Congress and a Republican president more influence over funding decisions for much of 2025, it would also leave Trump with a crowded agenda upon taking office, including finalizing spending, addressing the national debt ceiling, and tackling other key priorities for his first 100 days.
Republican victories set the stage for intense funding debates as Congress faces critical deadlines
Republicans are poised to control 53 Senate seats, and Trump has secured a decisive victory in the White House. While control of the House remains uncertain, Republicans are optimistic about retaining their slim majority in the lower chamber.
With a government shutdown looming on Dec. 20, Congress is under time pressure to reach a deal, but lawmakers remain tight-lipped about their preferred solutions.
A leadership aide for the House GOP suggested that lawmakers will likely pursue another stopgap measure during the lame duck session, alongside a disaster aid package to assist the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Small Business Administration (SBA).
Outgoing Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell expressed his belief that determining “how to spend the discretionary money we have” is critical. He added that he hoped there would be more focus than the current Senate on fundamental government functions, such as establishing spending levels and adhering to regular order.
However, McConnell also acknowledged that lawmakers will soon engage in discussions to “figure out how to finish up the year,” emphasizing the importance of cooperation between him and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, although those talks have yet to begin.
The choice of McConnell’s successor as GOP leader could play a role in shaping these discussions. Additionally, Republicans’ broader agenda for Trump’s first 100 days may influence whether they wish to add another challenge to the list.
They are already planning to tackle the national debt limit and extend the Trump tax cuts, which are set to expire in 2025. Trump has not yet indicated his preference regarding the timing of a government funding bill.
The extension of government funding emerged as a contentious issue ahead of the September 30 shutdown deadline. Initially, the plan was to extend funding at last year’s levels into the new year, but House Republicans struggled to pass the bill, leading to the Dec. 20 deadline.
Conservatives argued that delaying the funding decision would allow Trump, if elected, to have a greater say in how the government is funded for much of the year.
However, this strategy faced opposition from multiple Republican factions, including defense hawks, who feared the impact on military funding, and fiscal conservatives, who criticized the idea of continuing funding at what they considered excessive levels.
Some lawmakers, such as House Appropriations Chair Tom Cole, argued that Congress should prioritize finishing the funding work as soon as possible.
Cole warned against leaving a new president with a fiscal crisis upon taking office, though he acknowledged that the final decision would rest with the election’s winner. These internal divisions within the GOP could present similar challenges in the months ahead as both sides strive to avert a shutdown next month.
GOP eyes budget influence while balancing a packed agenda for Trump’s first 100 days
Republicans in both chambers have expressed opposition to a large omnibus funding package, fearing it could end up favoring Democratic priorities. “We have broken the Christmas omni, and I have no intention of going back to that terrible tradition,” Speaker Mike Johnson declared in September, ruling out any smaller funding packages, saying, “We’re not going to do any buses.”
Despite the diminished influence of Democrats following the election results, their votes will likely remain necessary to pass government funding. Democrats control the Senate, and House Republicans have struggled to pass funding bills without bipartisan support. This dynamic could persist even in January, as Republicans’ Senate majority will not be filibuster-proof.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre shared on Thursday that the Biden administration’s focus during its remaining days will include addressing loose ends on the spending front, particularly disaster relief.
She emphasized the need to keep the government operational and provide aid to communities affected by recent hurricanes, although she refrained from detailing the specific approach to prevent a shutdown next month.
Rep. Rosa DeLauro, the top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, also weighed in, advocating for passing a funding bill this year that would cover most of 2025.
She argued that regardless of which party controls the White House or Congress, the necessity for bipartisan cooperation remains, given the slim margins in the House and the lack of a supermajority in the Senate.
DeLauro cautioned that postponing the work until next year would be a mistake, stressing that no single party could act alone in ensuring funding for vital services.
