Johnson readies for government shutdown fight as Democrats hold out for concessions

Speaker Mike Johnson is hoping to avert a government shutdown next week by peeling off enough Democratic support for a funding bill without the spending cuts that hardline GOPers are demanding.So far, however, Democrats are not budging — viewing a potential federal stoppage as their biggest hope to extract concessions from Republicans for the next few months.Congress has until 11:59 p.m.

March 14 to pass a measure to keep the government operating at full throttle — and there’s no sign of a deal in sight.“We’re looking to pass a clean [continuing resolution] to freeze funding at current levels to make sure that the government can stay open while we begin to incorporate all these savings that we’re finding through the DOGE effort and these other sources of revenue,” Johnson (R-La.) told NBC News’ “Meet the Press” Sunday.Conservative Republicans have called for any stopgap measure to include the codification of cuts ordered by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), but that is a non-starter for Democrats in Congress.Republicans currently hold a slim 218-215 majority, meaning Johnson can afford to lose just one vote before needing Democratic help to pass any legislation.The speaker’s current plan is to keep the government running at current spending levels through the end of fiscal year 2025 on Sept.30.

Then Republicans would work on codifying the DOGE cuts in the fiscal year 2026 appropriations process.“We are working hard to do our responsibility to keep the government open,” Johnson explained.“For FY26, for the next fiscal year, you’re going to see a very different process and a lot more efficient and effective spending for the people.”Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) has signaled that he’s on board with that plan and said that “all options on the table” to avert a shutdown.Johnson’s maneuver goes against Congress ‘ regular process for funding the federal government — which involves the passage of 12 sep...