Are we really getting a government shutdown this time?
Democrats rebel against budget cuts by Trump, Musk


A government shutdown crisis can seem like the "boy who cried wolf" story of American politics. Democrats and Republicans in Congress have come to the cusp of a shutdown repeatedly in recent years, only to avert disaster at the 11th hour with a mix of votes from both parties. But the story could get a new ending as soon as next week.
A possible March 14 government shutdown is looming, tied up in a "clash over President Donald Trump's attempt to seize" Congress' power of the purse, said The Washington Post. In the first weeks of the new administration, Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency has slashed agencies and budgets that had been approved by Congress. Democrats say passing a new budget is "irrelevant if Trump refuses to spend the money in accordance with the law."
The GOP controls both houses of Congress, of course. But Republicans "will need [Democrats'] votes to pass a spending bill," said CNN. In the House, Republicans' "small majority" means they could "fall short of the votes" needed to pass a budget resolution without Democratic help. That is a possible point of leverage for Democrats seeking enforceable limits on Trump and Musk's cutting spree. If Republicans want Democratic votes to keep the government open "they know what they have to do," said Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.).
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Musk is the 'chief obstacle'
Democrats are "known to be wary" of government shutdowns, Joe Perticone and Lauren Egan said at The Bulwark. Halting the work of government is harmful to the economy, and ideologically Democrats believe that "government does good." Still, they are not eager to cut a deal with GOP leaders who have thrown "whole agencies into a woodchipper without lawmakers' input, let alone consent," said Perticone and Egan. They also wonder why they should vote for a budget if afterward "Elon Musk can just show up" and reverse their decisions, said Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-Pa.).
Musk is the "chief obstacle" to a bipartisan budget agreement, Ed Kilgore said at New York magazine. Not just because he might cut budgets that Congress approves, but because he has the political muscle to scuttle a deal. The multibillionaire "very nearly blew up" a December funding bill to avert a shutdown by firing off a "tweetstorm demanding deeper cuts" than Republicans originally obtained. That makes Musk and "his superstar status among the noisiest elements of Trump's MAGA base" a wild card in negotiations.
'Put your mandate pants on'
A shutdown fight "could play right into Trump's hands," Rachael Bade said at Politico. Allowing the government to close all but essential operations — the military stays on duty during shutdowns, national parks do not — "could hand carte blanche" to Musk and the efforts to "remake the federal government in the very same ways that Democrats want to fight against."
Republicans are "betting that Democrats will cave," said NOTUS. But some Democrats say the GOP may have to keep the government open on its own. "They run around telling everybody they have this big mandate," said McGovern. "Well, then put your mandate pants on and pass whatever you want to pass."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Joel Mathis is a writer with 30 years of newspaper and online journalism experience. His work also regularly appears in National Geographic and The Kansas City Star. His awards include best online commentary at the Online News Association and (twice) at the City and Regional Magazine Association.
-
Today's political cartoons - April 4, 2025
Cartoons Friday's cartoons - penguin tariffs, FDA layoffs, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Are free trade zones and alliances the answer to Trump's tariffs?
Today's Big Question Temptation is to retaliate with trade barriers, but most agree nations should focus on targeted trade pacts and strengthening cooperation
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 29 March - 4 April
Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By The Week Staff Published
-
Is Elon Musk's DOGE job coming to an end?
TODAY'S BIG QUESTION Plummeting popularity, a stinging electoral defeat and Tesla's shrinking market share could be pulling the tech billionaire out of Trump's presidential orbit
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump's actions cut a wide swath across Hawaii's economy
In Depth The state's tourism and farming sectors are two of the largest hit industries
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
'The winners and losers of AI may not be where we expect'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Trump rolls out tariffs on virtually all imports
Speed Read On "Liberation Day," Trump announced a 10% baseline tariff on all imports to America and higher reciprocal tariffs for some 60 other countries
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Bombs or talks: What's next in the US-Iran showdown?
Talking Points US gives Tehran a two-month deadline to deal
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Sen. Booker's 25-hour speech beats Thurmond
Speed Read He spoke for the longest time in recorded Senate history, protesting the Trump administration's policies
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Democrats win costly Wisconsin court seat
Speed Read Democrats prevailed in an election for the Wisconsin Supreme Court despite Elon Musk's robust financial support of the Republican candidate
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Detentions and hostile treatment: is it safe to visit the US?
The Explainer Spate of interrogations and deportations at US border sparking decline in overseas visitors
By The Week UK Published