A coalition of conservative House and Senate members has cautioned House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune against any agreement that would limit the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in upcoming spending legislation. With the March 14th government shutdown deadline looming, these Republicans are advocating for a "clean" continuing resolution to fund the government for the remainder of the fiscal year.
In a letter to Johnson and Thune, spearheaded by Senator Rick Scott and House Freedom Caucus Chairman Andy Harris, the group expressed concerns over reported Democratic demands to maintain current spending levels, which they deem wasteful. They emphasize that any attempt to curtail President Trump's authority to reduce spending should be rejected. This stance represents a shift for some of the signatories, who have historically opposed stopgap funding measures.
The lawmakers' letter, co-signed by 19 other Republicans, including prominent fiscal hawks, underscores their commitment to preventing any restrictions on DOGE. Speaker Johnson, in a recent television appearance, confirmed the likelihood of a clean continuing resolution to avert a shutdown and echoed the conservatives' sentiments about rejecting Democratic demands to limit the President's authority. Senator Thune's office declined to comment on the matter.
President Trump previously addressed the impending shutdown deadline on social media, emphasizing the need for a clean continuing resolution to address the budgetary issues inherited from the previous administration. The House Freedom Caucus and the Senate Steering Committee, to which Senator Scott recently became chairman, have a history of leveraging their influence to advocate for conservative priorities within their respective chambers.
With the March 14th deadline fast approaching, negotiations between Republicans and Democrats continue. As DOGE, under President Trump and Elon Musk, has implemented significant spending cuts and personnel reductions, Democrats have voiced strong opposition. They are now seeking to ensure Congressional control over allocated funds, protecting them from DOGE's influence, as part of the shutdown negotiations. This demand could potentially manifest as a specific provision within the spending bill to limit DOGE’s authority.
Passing a spending bill requires bipartisan cooperation. In the Senate, at least seven Democrats would need to join Republicans to reach the 60-vote threshold, assuming unanimous Republican support. While only a majority is required in the House, achieving complete Republican unity remains uncertain.
