Trump Signs Government Funding Bill, Avoiding Shutdown/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump signed a six-month government funding bill into law, preventing a partial shutdown. The bill keeps most spending at Biden-era levels but cuts non-defense funding by $13 billion while increasing defense spending by $6 billion. Senate Democrats were divided, with some reluctantly voting for the bill to avoid a shutdown. Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson secured a rare GOP-only passage in the House.
Trump’s Budget Deal: Quick Looks
- Shutdown Averted: Trump signed a six-month government funding bill into law.
- Budget Breakdown: Non-defense spending cut by $13 billion, defense spending increased by $6 billion.
- Democratic Divide: Senate Democrats argued over whether to oppose the bill.
- Republican Victory: Trump and Speaker Mike Johnson secured passage without Democratic support.
- DOGE Concerns: Democrats fear Trump’s administration will use the bill to dismantle key programs.
Trump Signs Government Funding Bill, Avoiding Shutdown: Deep Look
Trump Secures Budget Deal Amid Democratic Infighting
President Donald Trump has officially signed a bill extending government funding through September, ending the risk of a partial government shutdown. The legislation, which largely maintains spending levels from the Biden administration, passed both chambers of Congress despite strong opposition from within the Democratic Party.
Harrison Fields, the White House principal deputy press secretary, confirmed in a post on X that Trump signed the continuing resolution on Saturday. The agreement marks a rare victory for Republicans, as House Speaker Mike Johnson successfully pushed the bill through the House without needing Democratic support.
What’s in the Bill?
The spending package, totaling nearly $1.7 trillion, includes only minor funding adjustments:
- Non-defense spending: Cut by approximately $13 billion from the previous year.
- Defense spending: Increased by $6 billion, reinforcing Trump’s push for military expansion.
Although the overall budget remains close to what was set under President Joe Biden, some changes give Trump’s administration increased control over federal spending.
Democrats Divided Over Shutdown Debate
The bill’s passage followed days of heated debate among Senate Democrats, many of whom were outraged that Republicans in the House had drafted the budget without their input. Some Democrats argued that the measure undermines critical priorities such as healthcare and housing. Others feared that Trump’s administration, alongside the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), would use the new funding structure to further dismantle federal programs.
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer warned that a shutdown could be even worse, as it would give Trump the power to determine which agencies and programs were deemed non-essential—potentially leading to permanent cuts.
“A shutdown will allow DOGE to shift into overdrive,” Schumer cautioned. “Donald Trump and Elon Musk would be free to destroy vital government services at a much faster rate.”
Ultimately, 10 Senate Democrats crossed party lines to help pass the bill, concluding that preventing a government shutdown outweighed the risks of letting Trump control federal spending. The final vote was 54-46 in favor of passage.
House GOP Pushes Bill Through Without Democrats
Earlier in the week, the Republican-led House passed the funding measure without any Democratic support—something rarely achieved in recent budget battles. The victory was a major win for Trump and Speaker Mike Johnson, proving that the GOP could advance major legislation without relying on bipartisan cooperation.
By securing Republican unity, Johnson helped reinforce Trump’s agenda while weakening Democratic leverage over federal spending. The success of the bill’s passage could set the stage for more partisan budget negotiations in the months leading up to the 2025 presidential election.
What’s Next?
With the government now funded through September, attention will turn to long-term budget discussions. Trump’s administration is expected to push for additional spending reforms, likely setting up another battle with Democrats over federal agency funding.
For now, however, the White House and congressional Republicans can claim victory in avoiding a shutdown while keeping control over key spending decisions.
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