Congress Introduces Spending Bill Following Trump’s Appeal to Republicans Against Shutdown

Congressional negotiators have unveiled a spending bill aimed at preventing a partial government shutdown in the early days of the presidency of Donald Trump. This legislative effort arrives against a backdrop of urgency, with a deadline looming to avert disruption on March 14.

The proposed 100-page bill is designed to maintain current funding levels through the beginning of fiscal year 2026, which begins on October 1. House Republican leaders express confidence that they can advance this bill with only Republican votes, something not managed since taking majority control of the chamber in January 2023.

Coordination with the White House

During a Friday press call, aides from House Republican leadership emphasized that the bill was closely coordinated with the White House. However, they refrained from confirming that Trump fully endorsed the measure, explaining he had yet to review its specific details.

Defense and Non-Defense Spending

Key components of the bill include a $6 billion increase in defense spending compared to fiscal year 2024, while non-defense discretionary appropriations would see a decrease of approximately $13 billion. Additionally, the measure allocates $6 billion for healthcare services for veterans.

The White House has also requested extra funding for priority areas that were not included in the previous government funding extension, described as