Johnson Supports Temporary Spending Legislation, Urges Congress to Formalize Dogecoin-Related Cuts in the Future
The proposal aims to avert a government shutdown as the impending March 14 funding deadline approaches.
On March 2, House Speaker Mike Johnson expressed his preference for a straightforward government funding extension, which would prevent a shutdown and maintain operations through September. This approach would be a preliminary step before considering budget cuts suggested by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) for the fiscal year 2026.
Johnson’s strategy could minimize the risk of a government shutdown as the March 14 funding deadline nears. Previously, Republicans attempted to include DOGE cuts in an appropriations bill, which faced likely opposition from Democrats.
“We’re aiming to pass a clean [continuing resolution] to maintain funding at current levels to ensure that the government remains operational while we begin to incorporate all these savings identified through the DOGE initiative and other revenue sources,” Johnson stated during an interview on NBC’s “Meet the Press” on Sunday.
“And for FY26, the next fiscal year, you can expect a significantly revamped process with much more efficient and effective spending for the public.”
“We are diligently collaborating with the House and Senate to pass a clean, temporary government funding Bill (‘CR’) until the end of September. Let’s make it happen!” he wrote.
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A continuing resolution (CR) would maintain government funding without raising or lowering the budgets for agencies and other government programs.
Johnson previously conveyed to reporters that a CR was the “most sensible option to ensure that the government remains operational.”
House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) is spearheading discussions for the Democrats, as noted by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) on February 27.
Jeffries did not indicate whether Democrats would endorse a CR.
“Regarding any future consideration of a year-long continuing resolution, that’s a discussion we will have at the appropriate time with the entire House Democratic caucus,” Jeffries remarked.
A simple majority is needed to pass a CR in the House, but there’s uncertainty about whether it could overcome the Senate’s 60-vote filibuster requirement.
The GOP is also seeking to advance Trump’s agenda through a process known as reconciliation, which allows legislation related to spending, taxation, and the national debt to bypass filibuster constraints.
However, to initiate the reconciliation process, both the House and Senate need to adopt identical budget resolutions. Thus far, each chamber has crafted and approved its own resolutions, with the Senate currently reviewing the House version for potential passage.
Jackson Richman contributed to this report.
