US Faces Government Shutdown Amid Budget Impasse

A stalemate over the Republican-proposed temporary budget extension was declared by Democratic Senators yesterday (March 12, 2025), pushing the U.S. closer to a federal government shutdown. Republicans narrowly advanced a short-term legislative measure through the House of Representatives on Tuesday night to extend funding at current levels until the end of September. However, Democrats stated they were unwilling to provide the necessary support for the bill to pass the Senate before current funding expires Friday night. ‘Funding the government should be a bipartisan effort, but Republicans chose a partisan path, drafting their continuing resolution without any input from Congressional Democrats,’ said Senate Democratic Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. If the impasse is not resolved by midnight tomorrow (March 14, 2025), the government will ‘shut down,’ suspending all ‘non-essential’ services, including national parks, environmental and food inspections, and the Internal Revenue Service. Hundreds of thousands of workers could be placed on furlough. This would mark the first government closure since December 2018 when Republicans and Democrats deadlocked over border wall funding during Donald Trump’s first term as president. The House bill extends funding at current levels until September 30, cutting some non-defense spending while boosting defense and immigration enforcement. Democrats fear giving Trump too much leeway to implement his agenda in the next six months and instead proposed a one-month extension until April 11, allowing both parties to craft a more comprehensive spending bill. With the House recessed, it is unlikely that its members will return this week to consider alternative legislation. Republicans hold a 53-seat majority in the Senate against 47 Democrats, meaning they need to peel off at least seven senators to secure the 60 votes required to pass legislation. At least one Republican senator—Rand Paul of Kentucky—has stated he will not vote for the House bill. One Democrat—John Fetterman of Pennsylvania—said he would vote in favor.