Trump To Be Hit With New Shutdown

Lawmakers from both parties are warning that the risk of another federal government shutdown is increasing ahead of the September funding deadline after President Donald Trump urged Senate Republicans to eliminate the legislative filibuster. Trump argued that ending the Senate’s 60-vote threshold would allow Republicans to pass spending bills and the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act without Democratic support.

The president surprised many Republicans with his comments, saying that failure to abolish the filibuster could result in a shutdown. During an appearance on Fox & Friends, Trump said Republicans should move quickly to change Senate rules, arguing that otherwise the government could face another funding lapse in September.

While many Republican senators have indicated they want to avoid a shutdown before the November elections, Trump’s remarks have intensified concerns that negotiations over government funding could become more difficult. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said Trump’s comments suggest the White House is preparing for another budget confrontation rather than working toward a bipartisan agreement.

Schumer accused Trump of threatening a shutdown if Congress does not approve his priorities, including the SAVE Act. The proposal would require proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote, mandate photo identification for voting, and place additional restrictions on mail-in ballots.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune acknowledged that Trump’s comments introduced a new complication into the already challenging budget negotiations. Democratic lawmakers have also expressed concern that Trump could refuse to sign a temporary funding measure unless it includes the election legislation.

Some Democrats believe both parties are testing political strategy ahead of the funding deadline, with each side attempting to avoid blame if negotiations collapse. Several Republicans, meanwhile, have argued that Democrats could also use the budget process to push for policy concessions or protest administration actions.

Sen. Mike Rounds said many Democratic senators privately want to prevent another shutdown but questioned whether party leadership shares that goal. He urged lawmakers to continue working on bipartisan appropriations bills rather than allowing negotiations to break down.

Signs of growing partisan tension emerged this week when Senate Democrats voted to block consideration of the annual National Defense Authorization Act, legislation that has traditionally received broad bipartisan support. Republican leaders said the move could signal a more contentious fight over government funding in the weeks ahead.

Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Susan Collins urged lawmakers from both parties to avoid another shutdown, calling it a failure of the governing process. Schumer, however, argued that Republicans are advancing spending proposals that heavily favor defense programs while providing limited increases for domestic priorities.

As lawmakers prepare for the September deadline, some Republicans are also discussing legislation designed to reduce the impact of a shutdown if one occurs. One proposal, known as the Shutdown Fairness Act, would guarantee that federal employees continue receiving pay during a government funding lapse. Supporters say the measure could lessen the effects of a shutdown, although advancing it through the Senate could require additional procedural steps.