Trump Mobilizes GOP Allies to Combat Risk of Government Shutdown

FIRST ON FOX: President Donald Trump is making strategic calls on Monday to key GOP holdouts regarding a plan aimed at averting a potential government shutdown by the end of this week. A White House official confirmed this communication to Fox News digital.

According to three sources, Trumpworld is actively reaching out to lawmakers on Capitol Hill ahead of the critical vote scheduled for late Tuesday afternoon.

Anticipation Builds Ahead of Key Vote

Two senior House Republicans anticipate that Trump will connect directly with critics of the bill before the vote occurs on Tuesday. The House and Senate must approve the funding bill and send it to Trump’s desk prior to Friday’s deadline to prevent a government shutdown.

Sources indicate that Trump aides have been in contact with lawmakers who might oppose the bill. A third source mentioned that the White House also reached out to reliable supporters to guarantee a unified front from Republicans during the voting process.

“I’m sure the president is making calls,” remarked one senior House Republican in a conversation with Fox News Digital. Nonetheless, as of late afternoon Monday, this pressure campaign had not yet reached every hesitant House GOP member.

A GOP lawmaker, who preferred to remain unnamed, noted uncertainty regarding the bill and mentioned they had not received communication from either the White House or House leadership.

Inside the Continuing Resolution

The legislation in question is a proposed extension of fiscal year 2024 funding levels, commonly referred to as a “continuing resolution” (CR). Historically, Republicans have displayed considerable opposition to CRs, often advocating for a more structured approach involving 12 annual appropriations bills developed by Congress.

This time, however, House Democratic leaders signaled a shift in strategy. They have indicated that Democrats will not collectively oppose a government shutdown in the same manner that characterized the last two years.

Republican Dynamics at Play

Democratic leaders accuse Republicans of utilizing the CR to facilitate Trump’s and Elon Musk’s shared vision for the Department of Government Efficiency, dubbed DOGE. It appears that conservatives are employing this narrative to rally support among their colleagues for the current legislation.

Several moderate Democrats, especially those facing competitive challenges in the upcoming elections, may choose to support the effort to avoid a shutdown. However, it is anticipated that Republicans will predominantly bear the responsibility for securing the necessary votes.

Notably, Representative Thomas Massie, a Republican from Kentucky, has already expressed his opposition to the bill. He shared his stance on X, saying, “Unless I get a lobotomy Monday that causes me to forget what I’ve witnessed the past 12 years, I’ll be a NO on the CR this week.”

The White House’s Targeted Outreach Efforts

It remains unclear whether the White House has made any specific attempts to sway Massie for his vote, as his office did not respond immediately to requests for comment. In response to Massie’s comments, former Trump campaign manager Chris LaCivita conveyed a terse message on X, saying, “Tick tock Tommie.”

Another Republican lawmaker expressed frustration regarding what they viewed as an ongoing display of political theatrics by dissenters within the party. They remarked, “You’ve got these handful of members that see themselves as the ‘purists,’ and if we all just shared their vision, all of the problems we faced would magically disappear. This act is getting old! Can you imagine if we just shut down the government during a unified government because we can’t get an agreement out of the House?”

Republican Leadership’s Position

Fox News Digital attempted to seek comments from Speaker Mike Johnson’s office and the White House but did not receive responses by the time of publication.

House Republicans unveiled the text of their 99-page continuing resolution on Saturday, outlining their plan moving forward.

Previously, Trump played a crucial role in facilitating a conservative budget overhaul, achieving consensus after extensive discussions with two key holdouts, Reps. Victoria Spartz from Indiana and Tim Burchett from Tennessee.

Potential Outcomes and Implications

As the voting deadline approaches, the outcome of this bill will significantly affect government operations and funding. The pressure intensifies on Republican lawmakers as they navigate the intricate dynamics of party unity and individual principles.

With mixed signals from both parties and the looming threat of a government shutdown, the political landscape remains turbulent. Trump’s involvement illustrates an ongoing effort to maintain party cohesion, especially in the face of rising dissent.

The stakes are high, and the coming days will reveal whether Trump’s outreach proves effective in consolidating support among GOP members, or if divisions within the party will jeopardize the path forward.