Political Update Saturday March 1, 2025 As party leaders work to align their reconciliation plans, they also face pressure to avoid a potential government shutdown. The current temporary funding measure is set to expire on March 14, and Congress must pass a budget for the fiscal year that began on October 1. So far, the government has been operating under two temporary spending bills, known as Continuing Resolutions (CRs), which have only maintained existing funding levels. However, strong opposition from fiscal conservatives threatens any further short-term extensions. Many conservatives oppose keeping current spending levels and support a clean break, advocating for a CR that would fund the government for the rest of the fiscal year while allowing Congress to focus on the FY 2026 budget, which starts on October 1, 2025.
