Trending Now
We have updated our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use for Eurasia Group and its affiliates, including GZERO Media, to clarify the types of data we collect, how we collect it, how we use data and with whom we share data. By using our website you consent to our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy, including the transfer of your personal data to the United States from your country of residence, and our use of cookies described in our Cookie Policy.
{{ subpage.title }}
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA), speaking alongside Republican leadership House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN), left, House Freedom Caucus Chair Andy Harris (R-MD), second from left, and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA), right, during a press conference at the United States Capitol on Tuesday, March 11, 2025.
Will Senate back House funding fix?
On Wednesday, the House of Representatives narrowly passed a stopgap funding bill, voting 217-213 to prevent a government shutdown and keep federal spending at current levels through Sept. 30.
Following its passage, Speaker Mike Johnson adjourned the House for a week, denying the Senate the option to amend the bill before Friday’s shutdown deadline.
The bill keeps spending largely unchanged from last year but boosts military funding by $6 billion. It also cuts over $1 billion from Washington’s budget for the rest of the fiscal year, raising concerns about funding city services. On a brighter note, it increases support for a nutrition program for women and children and bolsters air traffic control funding.
The only Republican to vote against it, Rep. Thomas Massie, of Kentucky, defied pressure from Donald Trump, who threatened to “lead the charge” against him in 2026. Massie opposed the measure for not cutting spending enough — a stance shared by many fiscal conservatives in the Senate.
Will the Senate pass it? Republican senators have signaled support, with former hardliners backing it to advance Trump’s — and the Department of Government Efficiency’s — policy agenda.
Democratic leaders, however, argue that it lets the White House impose deep spending cuts through DOGE without congressional oversight. Unlike full-budget bills, temporary extensions don’t dictate how federal funds are allocated. Meanwhile, Senate Democrats are floating a six-week extension to craft a broader spending deal. The question between now and the Friday deadline is whether they will stand firm and risk a shutdown — a move many swing-state Democrats fear could backfire — or push the fight to fall.
Pete Buttigieg explains: How the debt limit impacts transportation
Failure to raise the debt limit could be catastrophic for the US – and global – economy.
But a deal to lift the cap could also end up causing pain to many Americans. For example, the $4 trillion in spending cuts proposed by House Republicans would significantly disrupt US travel, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg told Ian Bremmer on GZERO World. Republicans who voted to slash the budget should have to explain to the American people why they “might have to wait a couple more hours in a security line at an airport because of the cuts to TSA,” Buttigieg argues. "These are real impacts that are going to have a real effect on our everyday lives, not to mention on our economy."
Watch the interview in the upcoming episode of GZERO World, airing on US public television nationwide. Check local listings.
- Chris Christie weighs in on US debt limit fight ›
- US debt limit: default unlikely, dysfunction probable ›
- Ian Explains: The debt ceiling ›
- US debt ceiling looms over a House divided ›
- Let the debt ceiling battles begin ›
- Hard Numbers: Southwest Airlines facing fines, Ukrainian casualties, Ethiopia-Tigray flights, Iranians facing execution ›
- US debt default would be "destabilizing," says World Bank's David Malpass - GZERO Media ›
- Will the US default on its debt? Ask GZERO World's guests - GZERO Media ›
- Podcast: Rebuilding American infrastructure with Pete Buttigieg - GZERO Media ›
Sydney airport resumes operations after smoke at control tower
SYDNEY - Sydney Airport resumed operations on Friday (March 29) after air traffic control staff who were evacuated due to smoke were cleared to return to work.