Washington, D.C. – Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) convened a press conference alongside other Senate Democrats to discuss President Trump’s proposal to eliminate the Department of Education on March 6, 2025. With the looming March 14 deadline for passing a critical government funding bill, congressional Democrats are gearing up to wield their power of the purse as a check on a president described as tyrannical.
As the deadline for a government-wide appropriations bill approaches, Democrats are pushing back against the administration’s defiance of the current budget. Republicans, reliant on Democratic support to pass the bill, are facing pressure to address concerns related to the impounding of funds previously approved by Congress. The possibility of a long-term continuing resolution (CR) has been suggested as an alternative to a new funding bill, which would maintain current levels of government funding through the end of September.
While a CR would temporarily avert a government shutdown, Democrats are grappling with the reality that parts of the government are already being shut down by the administration’s actions. Despite the CR’s allocation of significant funding to various programs, the current state of these agencies raises questions about the effectiveness of continuing resolutions in the face of unilateral decisions to impound funds.
Facing a fundamental challenge in balancing the preservation of government functions with the need to ensure responsible fiscal management, Democrats are considering different approaches to address the impasse. One potential strategy involves shorter-term CRs to assess ongoing legal battles and negotiations for a more comprehensive government funding bill with oversight mechanisms to hold the administration accountable.
To strengthen their position and uphold congressional authority over budgetary decisions, Democrats are exploring options such as empowering the comptroller general to report on impoundments and trigger mandatory congressional votes on fund usage. The possibility of withholding support for a CR as a negotiating tactic underscores the urgency for Democrats to adopt a strategic approach in response to the current crisis.
In the face of unprecedented challenges posed by efforts to undermine government institutions and consolidate power, Democrats are urged to recognize the gravity of the situation and take decisive action. The repercussions of failing to address the erosion of constitutional norms and separation of powers could have far-reaching consequences for the American people, underscoring the need for swift and decisive congressional response to protect democratic governance.