Republican congressional leaders are facing mounting pressure as the government shutdown enters its fourth month, with plans to push the next spending deadline into 2026. House and Senate GOP leaders are exploring multiple options for a new continuing resolution (CR) to keep the government operational, with the most likely proposal setting the deadline for mid to late January. However, this timeline still falls short of the demands from hard-liners within the party, who have privately urged the leadership to avoid any December deadline and instead extend the stopgap to April or later.
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise confirmed on Wednesday that a longer stopgap measure is under consideration, but he insisted it would not place lawmakers against a holiday deadline. Scalise’s comments came after GOP hard-liners expressed concerns that a December deadline would mirror the contentious omnibus deal that Democrats had previously opposed, citing the Christmas Eve voting as a source of frustration. Scalise’s statement was made in response to these internal tensions, as the GOP continues to grapple with the implications of prolonged government shutdowns.
President Donald Trump’s support will be crucial for any revised CR to pass through Congress. While hard-liners are pushing for an extended deadline, appropriators and lawmakers focused on crafting full-year spending bills are advocating for a shorter timeline. Speaker Mike Johnson, who has previously criticized stopgap measures, finds himself at the center of this debate. His past remarks about presiding over his last CR suggest a desire to move toward permanent funding solutions, yet the reality of political negotiations has kept the current impasse alive.
Rep. Beth Van Duyne (R-Texas) has voiced her reservations about supporting additional CRs, citing her opposition to the spending limits set by Democrats. She expressed disappointment that Democrats, who have repeatedly voted against funding measures, seem to misunderstand the significance of the decisions being made. Van Duyne’s comments reflect a broader frustration within the GOP as lawmakers seek to balance fiscal responsibility with the need to avoid a prolonged shutdown.
Meanwhile, House Ways and Means Chair Jason Smith (R-Mo.) has suggested a stopgap measure extending into December 2026, a timeline so far extended that it would surpass the start of the next fiscal year and potentially interfere with upcoming midterm elections. This proposal has sparked internal debate within the GOP, as appropriators are expected to resist such a lengthy stopgap. Senate Appropriations Chair Susan Collins (R-Maine) has also raised concerns, warning that a deadline extending past the end of this year could be problematic and may not gain widespread support.
As the debate continues, the GOP is faced with the challenge of balancing party unity and the pressure to resolve the funding impasse. With the government shutdown now entering its fourth month, the length of the stalemate has raised concerns about the potential economic and political consequences of prolonging the crisis. The outcome of this debate could have significant implications for future government operations and the nation’s fiscal policy.