‘Total failure’: Government shutdown crisis threatens Capitol Hill as Trump plans policy overhaul

With less than two months to go until the next government funding deadline, March 14, lawmakers in the House are increasingly worried about the speed of their progress in spending talks.

“I think it’s a complete failure for us not to have a top line number,” said Rep. Cory Mills, R-Fla.

Republicans in Congress have been busy negotiating a massive conservative policy and budget overhaul through a process called “reconciliation,” which allows the party that holds the House and Senate to enact sweeping changes by lowering the Senate threshold from 60 to 51 votes.

But all the while, Republicans who spoke to Fox News Digital are worried about falling behind in the federal appropriations process for fiscal year (FY) 2025, with no funding numbers to work with yet and only 19 session days left until the deadline.

TRUMP’S REMAINING MEXICO POLICY COULD BE REVIVED WITH NEW HOUSE GOP BILL

Congress has extended the fiscal year 2025 deadline twice since the period began on Oct. 1; most recently, it has approved a short-term funding extension of the fiscal year 2024 funding levels, known as a continuing resolution (CR). at the end of December.

“The appropriations bills have to be done. If we end up with another CR, that would be catastrophic. That would essentially mean a reduction in defense (funding),” said Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart, R- Fla., a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee. “But for us to start doing that, we need a higher number. But I’m optimistic we’ll get there.”

If nothing is done by March 14, Congress could be forced to face a partial government shutdown amid its reconciliation talks, and within the president’s first 100 days. Donald Trump’s second term

Other committee members suggested they were similarly in the dark about a top line number, but were cautiously hopeful.

“We’re less than eight weeks away from the CR expiring. We need to be able to get those lines as soon as possible and get to work,” said Rep. Stephanie Bice, R-Okla. “I have full faith and confidence that Tom Cole will be able to make it happen in the next week or two.”

Rep. Mark Alford, R-Mo., said House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole, R-Okla., has been “in consultation” with his counterparts about a tow number.

Asked about the possibility of another CR, he said: “We have several things going on at the same time: the reconciliation package, the debt ceiling increase and the adjudication process. So we hope for the best and deal with the worst if we have a”.

Republican leaders have previously been forced to seek Democratic support to pass CRs, which typically hit a wall of opposition among a cross-section of the GOP.

TRUMP’S ICE RECOVERS HUNDREDS OF ARRESTS, INCLUDING ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS ARRESTED FOR TERROR CRIMES

Hardliners told Fox News Digital that they are preparing for another CR or, worse in their eyes, a massive package that combines all 12 regular appropriations bills from Congress into one massive “omnibus.”

MP Ralph Norman, RSC, said he and other Tories were working on a bill to keep border security operations funded in the event of a government shutdown

“We’re running out of time,” he said, adding that Republicans “should probably stick around next week” instead of flying to their annual keynote conference in Miami.

Rep. Keith Self, R-Fla., noted that House lawmakers have just over two weeks in session to come up with a plan.

“I’m very worried. I’m also worried that if we collapse the CR on March 14, will they poison the reconciliation negotiations?” Put to himself.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

But not all conservatives are worried. House Freedom Caucus Chairman Andy Harris, R-Md., said he would be in favor of a full-year CR if you “write it right.”

“You say what the top line is, and I’ll tell you if I care,” he said.

Fox News Digital reached out to Republican congressional leaders and the House Appropriations Committee for comment.