Congressional Democrats are considering a government funding extension into March or April, seeking to avoid an early spending confrontation with President Donald Trump and Republicans as they prepare to take control of Congress.

Two people granted anonymity to discuss private strategy said Democrats are weighing the spring timeline in negotiations over a stopgap spending bill ahead of the Dec. 11 deadline. The discussions remain preliminary, and any agreement would require Republican support on both the end date and potential restrictions related to the war in Iran.

The conflict could nevertheless trigger a showdown as soon as next month, while Republicans still control Congress. Democratic leaders face pressure from members who want to use Congress’ spending authority to end hostilities, raising the possibility of a government shutdown if the parties cannot agree.

Some House and Senate Democrats are already pushing to include language in the stopgap that would block funding for the conflict. Senior leaders have said they want to end the war but have not specified their demands for the December legislation.

Senate Democrats discussed possible Iran-related provisions during a closed-door lunch this week. Republicans, meanwhile, have continued releasing fiscal 2027 funding bills, even as they acknowledge that a temporary extension will be needed next month.

Democrats otherwise want to focus their early months in power on an affordability agenda rather than shutdown threats and brinkmanship with Trump.

“We are exploring every option to figure out how to end the war in Iran,” said Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, the Senate’s top Democratic appropriator. Murray said she does not trust Trump and that Democrats are examining language that would ensure spending bills reflect what voters wanted.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York, who is expected to become speaker next year, said Thursday that Democrats have opposed the war “from Day 1” and would continue working to end it. He said Rep. Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut, the top House Democratic appropriator, was reviewing the party’s priorities ahead of Dec. 11.

DeLauro said this week that she still favors a stopgap that is “as short as possible.”