Staff Reports
A major victory for the Trump administration unfolds as the House of Representatives passed a continuing resolution (CR), ensuring that government spending levels will remain steady through September 30. Not only does this move keep the lights on, but it also includes some call-it-a-bonus modifications that align with Republican priorities, much to the chagrin of some fiscal conservatives who generally look askance at CRs. But in a surprising twist, Trump managed to turn these reluctant conservatives into advocates for his agenda, with some help from influential backers like Elon Musk and the aptly named Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE—a little dash of humor that could only come from the tech guru himself.
The House passed the CR with a nail-biting 217 to 213 vote, revealing a rare instance of bipartisanship as Democratic Rep. Jared Golden from Maine crossed the aisle to support it. Interestingly, for all the drama, only one Republican, Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, threw in a dissenting vote. The major highlight? Trump’s unwavering commitment to strict spending, particularly when it comes to bolstering border security through a stout $485 million boost for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). And so, amidst a chorus of discontent from some quarters, Trump gets to keep marching toward his ambitious fiscal agenda.
While Democrats pushed for a shorter-term CR, claiming the desire to tackle all twelve appropriations bills, it seems like they were more focused on turning the government into a chaotic circus. The strategic brilliance of the Trump administration shines through as key players, including Vice President JD Vance, got right on the phone to rally House members and secure the passage, turning what could have been gridlock into a chartered course toward fiscal responsibility—well, as much as any government can be responsible.
House Passes CR in Huge Step Forward for Trump Agenda https://t.co/utVh0fbm9T
— Steve Ferguson (@lsferguson) March 11, 2025
Now, with the bill heading off to the Senate, the Democrats find themselves in a tough spot. The ever-watchful Sen. Rand Paul has sensed dissent and announced his opposition to the CR, meaning at least eight Senate Democrats must support it to keep government running and prevent a shutdown. This chess match is heating up, and it will be interesting to see if the left can muster the courage to agree with Trump, considering how hard they’ve fought against him every step of the way.
Once the drama of securing continued government funding subsides, Trump’s administration can pivot to the real heavy lifting—rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse in government programs. With Trump in control, this will surely be a priority, aiming to cut the fat and instill some much-needed discipline into the bloated bureaucratic machine. The ball is rolling, and it seems that with all the setbacks, Trump’s agenda is moving forward—perhaps it’s got a good shot at hitting the target after all.
