September 18, 2025


GOP Strategizes to Corner Senate with Tight Schedule on Funding Measure

In a high-stakes maneuver, House Republican leaders are reportedly considering a bold strategy to push through a seven-week stopgap funding measure this Friday, subsequently adjourning the session until after the looming government shutdown deadline on October 1. This tactic, disclosed by sources requesting anonymity, aims to corner the Senate into accepting the GOP's terms to avert a government shutdown.

The proposed plan involves not reconvening the House after passing the stopgap measure, effectively placing pressure on the Senate by leaving them with no alternative but to adopt the Republican-authored resolution. This move is seen as a direct challenge to Senate Democrats, who are advocating for a vote on an alternative measure incorporating their policy preferences.

No concrete decisions have been made regarding the House's schedule, but the strategy outlines a clear intent to "jam" the Senate, forcing a quick resolution to the budget impasse. The Senate, on its part, is poised to consider the House-passed continuing resolution only by next Thursday. Senate Majority Leader John Thune has indicated a general reluctance within the chamber to entertain competing stopgap measures from both parties on the following Friday.

This strategy by House Republicans could significantly impact the interplay between the two legislative bodies, testing the resilience and flexibility of bipartisan negotiations. As the deadline approaches, all eyes will be on how these legislative maneuvers unfold, with potential implications for federal operations and services dependent on swift and cooperative legislative action.