WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a rare move, House Republicans are resisting pressure from their party’s presidential nominee, Donald Trump, to shut down the government unless a partisan immigration bill is passed. Despite Trump’s demands, Speaker Mike Johnson and top Republican lawmakers are aiming for a bipartisan spending agreement, hoping to avoid a shutdown that could hurt their prospects in the 2024 elections.
Trump, who wanted to use the shutdown to spotlight immigration and sow doubts about election integrity, has been told by GOP leaders that such a move would harm their chances in key races. Some Republicans have directly communicated to Trump that a shutdown would backfire, especially with Election Day just weeks away.
GOP Leadership Prioritizes Political Survival
Rep. Mike Simpson (R-Idaho) emphasized that shutting down the government in the final stretch of the election would be “problematic” for both Republicans in Congress and Trump himself. Simpson, along with other influential GOP lawmakers, has expressed concerns that pursuing a shutdown could jeopardize their House majority and Trump’s chances of winning the presidency.
Speaker Johnson, who faces pressure from all sides, is expected to defy Trump’s call for a hardline stance. Instead, he and his leadership team are leaning toward a “clean” stopgap spending bill to prevent a shutdown and push contentious policy fights until after the election. Johnson is also defending vulnerable Republican seats in blue-leaning districts, and a shutdown could tip those races in Democrats’ favor.
Trump’s Influence Waning in Shutdown Debate
Trump’s push for a shutdown is part of his broader effort to focus on election security, including a measure requiring proof of citizenship to vote, a bill unlikely to pass with a Democratic-controlled Senate and President Joe Biden in office. Johnson has reportedly discussed the situation with Trump, conveying the challenges of pushing the controversial immigration bill. While Trump continues to advocate for his agenda, several GOP leaders, including Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) and Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), have suggested that Trump’s focus should remain on his presidential campaign.
“President Trump … is rightly focused on running for president,” Donalds said, adding that the job of managing government funding belongs to Congress. Even Freedom Caucus members like Jordan, who typically support Trump’s more aggressive tactics, have expressed reservations about the former president getting directly involved in the funding battle.
Bipartisan Deal on the Horizon?
House Republican leaders have attempted to use Trump’s immigration policy as a negotiating tool, but resistance within their own party has weakened their position. Nearly a dozen Republicans have publicly opposed the hardline approach, with more expressing private concerns. With no viable leverage to push the immigration bill forward, Johnson is likely to pursue a bipartisan spending deal that senior Republicans have been advocating.
Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.), Chair of the House Appropriations Committee, has been one of the key voices urging Johnson to abandon the shutdown threat and instead focus on passing a stopgap funding bill. This would prevent a shutdown on September 30, giving Republicans the breathing room they need to focus on the election.
Trump’s Role Remains Uncertain
Though many in the House GOP are moving toward a bipartisan solution, Trump remains a wildcard. His ongoing involvement could complicate efforts to avoid a shutdown later in the year if he continues to push for more extreme measures.
Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.) summed up the dilemma facing Republicans: “Look, even though I wish it wasn’t the case, there is a U.S. Senate. And a White House. You’re going to have to negotiate.”
As the shutdown deadline looms, House Republicans are trying to balance party loyalty with the political realities of an election year. Whether Trump’s demands will continue to influence their strategy remains to be seen.
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