Democrats are rejecting House Republicans’ plan to pass a stopgap spending bill through the end of September, raising the specter of a government shutdown in President Donald Trump’s first 100 days and setting up a test of how far Democrats are willing to go to counter his administration. Top Democrats in the House and Senate are sharply opposed to Speaker Mike Johnson’s (R-Louisiana) strategy for a six-month funding extension, insisting it would give even more leeway to President Trump and Elon Musk to slash government programs. They also fear that agreeing to the GOP’s lengthy extension could weaken some of the only leverage they have in a GOP-controlled Congress, and could potentially damage an argument in court cases challenging the White House’s spending actions. If Democrats remain dug in, Speaker Johnson would need to deliver the votes for his so-called clean continuing resolution with Republican support alone. But with a small majority — and two Republicans, Representatives Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Tony Gonzales of Texas, already opposed – Johnson may fall short of the votes he needs to execute on that plan, too. Democrats say their preference is to force Johnson into a shorter-term spending bill that would allow appropriators to finish all full-year spending bills and could give them more leverage to ensure Congress – not the administration – has power to dictate how federal funds are used.
For today, the Senate is expected to confirm the nomination of Todd Blanche, of Florida, to be Deputy Attorney General. The Senate is then expected to complete work on Res.28, disapproving the rule submitted by the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection relating to “Defining Larger Participants of a Market for General-Use Digital Consumer Payment Applications.”
The House continues its work on resolutions and is expected to consider pursuant to a Rule, H.J. Res. 61 – Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to “National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Rubber Tire Manufacturing and H.J. Res. 42 – Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Energy relating to “Energy Conservation Program for Appliance Standards: Certification Requirements, Labeling Requirements, and Enforcement Provisions for Certain Consumer Products and Commercial Equipment.”
Finally, as expected, House Republicans are moving to punish Democratic Congressman Al Green of Texas after he heckled President Trump on Tuesday during his address to a joint session of Congress. Republican Congressman Dan Newhouse of Washington introduced a resolution on Wednesday to censure Green for the disruption. The resolution was introduced as “privileged,” which forces the House to vote on the matter within two legislative days. It says Green’s behavior “was a breach of proper conduct.”
