President Donald Trump has acknowledged the possibility of a government shutdown but expresses confidence in reaching a resolution to prevent it.
US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that a government shutdown “could happen” if the House of Representatives fails to pass a temporary funding bill but expressed confidence that the measure would be approved.
“It could happen. It shouldn’t have happened, and it probably won’t. I think the CR is going to get passed. We’ll see,” Trump told reporters when asked about the risk of a shutdown as government funding is set to expire on 14 March.
The bill, known as a continuing resolution (CR), would maintain government funding at current levels through the remainder of fiscal year 2025, which ends on 30 September. House Republicans introduced a six-month stopgap spending measure on Saturday, with a vote expected on Tuesday.
Trump signalled his support for the CR over the weekend, urging Republicans to back the bill. “All Republicans should vote (Please!) YES next week,” he posted on social media on Saturday. “Great things are coming for America, and I am asking you all to give us a few months to get us through to September so we can continue to put the Country’s ‘financial house’ in order.”
His endorsement has swayed some hardline Republicans who previously opposed similar short-term funding measures, a key factor in the House, where Speaker Mike Johnson leads a narrow 218-214 Republican majority.
