Democratic lawmakers are raising concerns about a possible partial government shutdown as they express discontent over President Donald Trump's recent changes to the federal government. Left-wing leaders are indicating that a shutdown could be looming and are positioning themselves to hold Republicans accountable.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries emphasized the Democrats' limited leverage in the current political landscape, pointing out that Republicans control the House, Senate, and presidency. Senator Andy Kim suggested that a shutdown could disrupt the work of Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency, a concern frequently highlighted by Democrats.
Several Democratic lawmakers voiced opposition to Trump's handling of federal spending and his alleged overreach of authority. House Democratic Caucus Chairman Pete Aguilar criticized Trump's ability to direct federal spending without proper oversight, citing constitutional concerns.
Progressive Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez called for Democrats to demand a high price for their support in any funding negotiations. In the past, Democrats have used the threat of a shutdown to push Republicans back to the negotiating table.
Government funding has been a contentious issue within the House Republican conference, with GOP leaders relying on Democratic votes to pass funding bills. With the government funding deadline approaching on March 14, there is growing uncertainty about reaching a bipartisan agreement.
Democratic lawmakers have warned of the economic and workforce impacts of a government shutdown, emphasizing the need to avoid such a scenario. Aguilar stressed the importance of preventing a shutdown, highlighting the potential negative consequences for the economy and American families.
As the deadline draws near, both parties will need to find common ground to avert a government shutdown and ensure the continued operation of federal agencies.
