Donald Trump has issued a warning that the United States government could experience a shutdown within a few days if a crucial temporary bill is not approved this week.
On Sunday (March 9), Trump made his remarks following the introduction of a short-term spending bill by Mike Johnson, Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, in Congress last December to maintain government funding.
This bill, called a continuing resolution (CR), secured funding until Friday (March 14). However, if a similar bill isn’t passed before then, the government may face a shutdown, which would cause most federal workers to cease working and go unpaid.
The Republican-majority House proposed a solution to avert the looming crisis on March 8 by presenting a CR bill intended to fund the government through the rest of fiscal year 2025, ending on September 30.
Nevertheless, this CR requires a vote, scheduled for tomorrow (March 11), to ensure its passage.
When questioned about the potential government shutdown, Trump frankly told reporters: “It could happen.”
He further stated that the funding dilemma ‘shouldn’t have happened’ and expressed confidence that the shutdown ‘probably won’t’ occur, though the decision lies with Congress voters.
“I think the CR is going to get passed. We’ll see,” he remarked.
In addition to his warning, the president urged Congress to approve what he called the ‘very good funding bill’ via a message on his social media platform, Truth Social, on Sunday.
Trump wrote: “The House and Senate have put together, under the circumstances, a very good funding Bill (“CR”)! All Republicans should vote (Please!) YES next week.
“Great things are coming for America, and I am asking you all to give us a few months to get us through to September so we can continue to put the Country’s “financial house” in order.”
He accused Democrats of attempting “anything they can to shut down [the] Government,” and added: “We can’t let that happen. We have to remain UNITED — NO DISSENT — Fight for another day when the timing is right. VERY IMPORTANT. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
Despite Trump’s endorsement of the bill, some Republicans have expressed opposition to the strategy.
Thomas Massie, representing Kentucky, tweeted on Sunday: “I’m not voting for the Continuing Resolution budget (cut-copy-paste omnibus) this week.
“Why would I vote to continue the waste fraud and abuse DOGE has found? We were told the CR in December would get us to March when we would fight. Here we are in March, punting again!”
The previous government shutdown occurred during Trump’s administration, lasting 35 days from late 2018 into early 2019.