Lawmakers on both parties have begun warning of potential shutdowns due to differences in policy, with each jockey denounced the other.
Returning to Congress, government closures that could possibly close the government
Congress is facing the possibility of government shutdowns as Democrats push back GOP budget cuts and demands.
WASHINGTON – Congress is facing the prospect of a partial government shutdown on October 1st.
The argument comes after a federal court of appeals could overturn President Donald Trump’s tariffs and blow a $4 trillion hole in his budget over the next decade.
And Trump has opposed some Republicans in a narrowly divided Congress by refusing to spend the billions already approved by lawmakers.
Here’s what you need to know about possible shutdowns that may come in handy:
Senate Democratic leader Schumer warns of “sharp contrast” with GOP
Senate Republicans are pushing for short-term funding patches to ensure one year’s deal time. But Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer, D-New York, urged his colleagues on September 2 to not help Republicans help Trump move towards authoritarianism.
“Senate Republicans have to make a decision. They either stand up to the legislative sector or allow them to slide into Trump’s authoritarianism,” Schumer wrote. “This month gives us the opportunity to show a sharp contrast between our agenda and the opposite side of chaos and extremism.”
Schumer said House minority leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-New York, agreed.
Mike Marinella, a spokesman for the National Republican Congressional Committee, said it is the House GOP’s campaign division.
“Republicans are focusing on keeping their government open and working for the American people, but Democrats are threatening confusion to protect their extremist agenda,” Marinella said in a statement.
GOP Sen. Collins challenges Trump’s spending cuts
Key Senate Republicans have already challenged Trump’s move to cut nearly $5 billion that Congress approved foreign aid, causing clashes among members of the president’s own party.
In a one-page letter on August 28, Trump notified House Speaker Mike Johnson in a one-page letter that he plans to withdraw a total of $4.9 billion in spending from the State Department and the US International Development Agency.
“Last night, President Trump cancelled $4.9 billion in the US using the pocket withdrawal,” the Office of Business and Budget said in a social media post. “(President Trump) will always put America first!”
However, the head of the Approval Committee, Sen. Susan Collins of R-Maine, opposed the move.
“Efforts to withdraw funds allocated without Congressional approval are a clear violation of the law,” Collins said on August 29.
Congress could block Trump’s move, but it’s unclear if that will happen.
The appeals court overturned Trump’s tariffs as the fundraising fight heated
The fight over government spending has reignited after the federal court overturned Trump’s important new funds by collecting tariffs on imports from other countries.
The heart of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7-4 decision of the Federal Circuit on August 29 was that Trump had stepped over his authority by imposing tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Force Act of 1977.
The decision could knock a $4 trillion hole in Trump’s budget over the next decade. The Congressional Budget Office predicted that tariffs would raise $3.3 trillion, cutting $700 billion over that period.
The Court of Appeals left the tariffs until October 14th, giving the administration the opportunity to appeal. Attorney General Pam Bondy said she would appeal to the Supreme Court.
But a decision from the High Court may not arrive before a clash of spending comes to mind in Congress. Trump has acknowledged the financial dilemma created by tariff losses.
“Today, the highly partisan court of appeals mistakenly said that our tariffs should be removed, but they know that the United States will ultimately win,” Trump said on social media. “If these tariffs disappear, it will be a complete disaster for the country. It will make us economically weak and we must be strong.”
Trade unions and activists protest against Trump
Negotiations over federal spending come after the Labor Day weekend of protests organized by unions and community activists against the Trump administration.
The rally aims to demonstrate the power of the working class in cities such as Boston, Chicago, Detroit, and New York.
Hundreds of protesters gathered in New York across Fifth Avenue from Trump Tower. The protesters handed out tacos. Some critics adopted the acronym taco, “Trump always kicked out chickens.” Protesters also chanted slogans such as “New York is a working town.”
White House spokesman Taylor Rogers told USA Today:
