WASHINGTON, Sept 9 – The White House has asked lawmakers to approve legislation that would extend current federal funding levels through January 31, a move designed to prevent a partial government shutdown when the new fiscal year begins on October 1. The proposal, confirmed by House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, is part of an effort to buy time as partisan divisions continue to stall progress on long-term appropriations bills.
Scalise told reporters that while January 31 had been floated as a possible end date for the temporary measure, no final decision has been reached. “That was a suggestion,” he said. “We’re still working on the dates and how long it would extend, but that hasn’t been finalized yet.”
If Congress agrees to pass the stopgap spending bill, often referred to as a continuing resolution, federal programs would continue operating at the previous fiscal year’s levels. The temporary measure may also include supplemental allocations for specific needs, such as disaster recovery funding through the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Lawmakers could also attempt to add funding for targeted initiatives during negotiations.
Without action by September 30, when the current fiscal year ends, funding will expire for a broad range of federal agencies and programs. While certain mandatory programs such as Social Security and Medicare would continue unaffected, many others—ranging from military operations to government-run services—would be at risk of disruption.
The White House has not publicly commented on its request. However, the debate over government spending continues to highlight the clash between the administration and Congress, particularly over control of discretionary funds. The Congressional Budget Office has estimated that around $1.6 trillion of the nearly $7 trillion federal budget falls into discretionary categories that require annual approval.
Much of this discretionary spending goes toward defense programs, while another significant share is used to pay interest on the national debt, which has now reached $37.4 trillion. That figure has raised alarms among fiscal experts who warn that rising debt obligations could eventually undermine U.S. economic stability.
As of early September, Congress has yet to approve any of the twelve appropriations bills needed to fund federal agencies for the new fiscal year. These bills cover everything from education and transportation to health and housing. In the absence of agreements, lawmakers must rely on short-term measures to prevent a shutdown.
Democratic Representative Rosa DeLauro, the ranking member of the House Appropriations Committee, criticized the White House proposal, describing it as “an extreme request.” In her view, extending current funding into the new year undermines the regular appropriations process. “This is the latest example of the White House trying to thwart the bipartisan appropriations process that invests in our constituents,” DeLauro said. “Any spending package must protect Democratic priorities and Congress’s power of the purse.”
Republicans currently control the House with a 219-212 margin, while in the Senate they hold a narrow 53-47 majority. In order to move a continuing resolution forward in the Senate, Republicans would still need at least seven Democrats to support the measure, since most legislation in that chamber requires 60 votes to advance.
The urgency of approving funding is compounded by broader tensions between Congress and President Donald Trump over spending authority. Critics argue that Trump has increasingly attempted to bypass or override congressional control of federal funds, in direct conflict with constitutional provisions granting Congress the power of the purse.
According to data compiled by Senator Patty Murray and Representative DeLauro, the administration has withheld more than $412 billion in funds that Congress had already approved. The White House has justified the freezes as part of broader efforts to curb spending and reduce the federal workforce, which has already seen steep cuts.
Office of Personnel Management Director Scott Kupor announced in August that federal agencies were expected to shrink by about 300,000 employees this year alone. Those reductions, a mix of layoffs, resignations, retirements, and buyouts, would mark a 12.5% decline in the federal workforce since January. The administration has argued that trimming government payrolls is essential to increasing efficiency, but critics say it risks hollowing out vital programs and services.
The standoff over funding recalls the last major shutdown during Trump’s presidency, which stretched from late 2018 into early 2019. That 35-day closure, the longest in U.S. history, began after Trump insisted that Congress approve billions of dollars for a border wall along the U.S.-Mexico boundary. In the end, the shutdown concluded without Congress granting the requested funding, leaving lasting frustration across federal agencies.
With the September 30 deadline looming, lawmakers face a familiar test of whether they can set aside partisan disputes to keep the government running. The White House’s request for an extension until January 31 reflects a strategy to push the confrontation beyond the holiday season, but whether Congress will agree remains uncertain.