Bipartisan funding negotiations begin in Congress ahead of March shutdown cliff

Republican funding leaders have made an opening offer to Democrats as the two parties launch negotiations toward a deal to fund the government before the mid-March shutdown deadline.

Congress’ top appropriators gathered privately Thursday evening in the Capitol for an hour-long “four corners” meeting — the first concrete step toward a bipartisan funding agreement as Republican leaders begin to embrace the idea of a cross-party accord that funds the government and raises the debt limit, while also potentially boosting disaster aid and border security funding. The beginning of negotiations follows months of inaction on a bipartisan government funding plan, after lawmakers first punted beyond the October start of the fiscal year and then again resorted to a stopgap measure in December, pushing the spending cliff into the first months of the new Trump administration.

Leaving the meeting, the House’s top Democratic appropriator, Rep. Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut, said the four lawmakers hope to strike a “topline” agreement by month’s end — just over a week away — to set overall totals for the military and non-defense programs, as well as rules for policy add-ons. That expedited timeline comes as government funding runs out on March 14 and it usually takes at least a month for lawmakers to close out negotiations on the dozen appropriations bills once an overarching agreement is struck.

“Everybody wants to get the job done,” DeLauro said in an interview leaving the meeting, describing the bipartisan talks as “honestly, very positive.”

Even if the four negotiators can strike a deal on overall funding totals — and get the blessing of their party leaders — top lawmakers will still need to come to agreement on other issues, including whether to lift the debt limit within a final funding package. As the U.S. government risks defaulting on its more than $36 trillion in debt this year, Republican leaders are talking about seeking an agreement with Democrats to waive or raise the borrowing cap.

“That’s not our decision,” House Appropriations Chair Tom Cole (R-Okla.) said Thursday about whether a debt limit increase gets added to a final funding package. “Not my decision to make.”

House and Senate GOP leaders and President Donald Trump will be the main deciders on that question.

Entering the meeting, Cole said he’s a “big fan” of DeLauro and his other two counterparts in the negotiation, Senate Appropriations Chair Susan Collins (R-Maine) and the Senate’s top Democratic appropriator, Washington Sen. Patty Murray.

“So it’s a good personal chemistry, good people to work with,” Cole said.

Leaving the confab, Murray was brief but upbeat. “All I’m going to say is, it was a good discussion, and we’re working on it,” she said.

Collins told reporters earlier Thursday that she hopes to be able to release some funding totals by Monday.

The meeting follows a huddle between Cole and Collins on Wednesday night, where the Republican spending chairs met on their own to discuss potential funding levels before including Democrats in Thursday’s meeting.

Jordain Carney contributed to this report.

Topics

Backlash in Congress over Trump's federal funding memo

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) reacted to President Trump's memo calling for a pause in federal funding for certain programs. CBS News' Nikole Killion has more.
CBS News - 9h
Bipartisan senators demand Trump explanation for IG firings

The leaders of the Senate Judiciary Committee sent a rare bipartisan letter to President Trump demanding an explanation for his firing of 17 inspectors general (IG) in one night. The rebuke said ...
The Hill - 10h
Polling reveals Americans' widespread, bipartisan support for Israel

Solid majorities of Republicans, Democrats and independents remain committed to supporting Israel and want the United States to continue supporting the Jewish State.
The Hill - 1d
Sen. Lindsey Graham says Congress needs to fund Trump's mass deportation plan

GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham: We talk about mass deportation but 'we don't have the resources'
NBC News - 2d
Mets' Cohen: Alonso negotiations 'exhausting'

The Mets held their first winter event for fans in five years at Citi Field, and Pete Alonso was a notable absence.
ESPN - 2d
Homan says he will 'leave it up to Congress' for deportation funding

Tom Homan, President Trump’s new border czar, says he will “leave it up to Congress” to determine deportation funding. Homan joined ABC’s “This Week” on Sunday, where he was questioned about the ...
The Hill - 2d
Johnson invites Trump to address joint session of Congress in March

House Speaker Mike Johnson on Saturday invited President Trump to address a joint session of Congress on March 4.
CBS News - 2d
Johnson invites Trump to address Congress in March

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has invited President Trump to give his first address to Congress on March 4. “Your administration and the 119th Congress working together have the chance to ...
The Hill - 3d
Johnson invites Trump to address Congress on March 4

The White House has yet to formally accept the invitation, though Trump is expected to confirm.
Politico - 3d
Amazon Willing to Discuss Quebec Shutdown With Canadian Officials

Amazon.com said it is open to talks with officials from the Canadian and Quebec governments about the decision to shut down operations in the country’s French-speaking province, which would lead to ...
The Wall Street Journal - 4d
China unleashes record short-term funds ahead of lunar new year

Authorities try to pre-empt holiday cash crunch but shy from cut to reserve requirement ratio
Financial Times - 5d
Trump pardons anti-abortion protesters ahead of March for Life

President Trump issued pardons Thursday for nearly two dozen anti-abortion activists who had been convicted of blockading abortion clinic entrances. “They should not have been prosecuted. Many of ...
The Hill - 5d
Bipartisan bill looks to ‘modernize’ voting rules for new parents in Congress

Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) and Rep. Brittany Pettersen (D-Colo.) join Meet the Press NOW to discuss their bipartisan bill on proxy voting for members of Congress who are new parents and how their ...
NBC News - 5d
RFK Jr. faces mounting bipartisan criticism

Pressure is mounting on Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as critics squeeze senators from both sides of the aisle to oppose President Trump’s pick to be the nation’s top health official. Kennedy’s bipartisan ...
The Hill - 5d
Congressional negotiators say bipartisan funding deal possible this week

House negotiators on both sides said Wednesday they think a deal on a topline for fiscal 2025 spending could come as soon as this week. Rep. Rosa DeLauro (Conn.), top Democrat on the House ...
The Hill - 6d
End the geriatric oligarchy: New bipartisan bill seeks to make Congress family-friendly

A bipartisan bill to allow proxy voting for members of Congress who are pregnant or with newborns is gaining momentum in the House, despite Speaker Mike Johnson's strong objections.
The Hill - Jan. 21
Is bipartisan reform of the clemency process likely?

Sen. Chris Coons suggested that there might be common ground with Congress and the attorney general to institutionalize reforms to the clemency process.
The Hill - Jan. 21
TikTok Says Service Will Return as Users React to Shutdown

The app went dark nationwide on Saturday night, but the company indicated it was in the process of restoring the service after assurances from President-elect Donald J. Trump.
The New York Times - Jan. 19
Demonstrators converge in DC for People’s March ahead of second Trump term

Kim Wozniak felt compelled to show up at Franklin Park for the People’s March on Saturday for many reasons. She said she has a granddaughter who “deserves better” and felt that women are being ...
The Hill - Jan. 19
Last-Minute Gaza Negotiations Indicate Tough Road Ahead

Israel and Hamas have yet to agree on a host of issues, deferring them to later stages of the multiphase cease-fire deal.
The Wall Street Journal - Jan. 18
TikTok Prepares for U.S. Shutdown From Sunday

Unless the nation’s highest court grants a reprieve, the popular social video platform will wind down on Jan. 19.
Inc. - Jan. 15
Cleveland-Cliffs partnering with Nucor on potential bid for U.S. Steel, sources say

The White House over the weekend extended the deadline for Nippon to permanently end its pursuit of U.S. Steel until June.
CNBC - Jan. 13
In Congress, a Push for Proxy Voting for New Parents Draws Bipartisan Support

A group of younger lawmakers is pressing to change House rules to allow members who are new parents to vote remotely.
The New York Times - Jan. 12
Red Wings Have Their New Future Shutdown Center

The Detroit Red Wings have a future shutdown center on their hands.
Yahoo Sports - Jan. 11
Protests begin ahead of far-right AfD rally in eastern Germany

Yahoo News - Jan. 11
Taxpayer Advocate urges Congress to preserve IRS funding for service, technology

The National Taxpayer Advocate has urged Congress to preserve IRS funding for taxpayer service and technology amid Republican scrutiny.
CNBC - Jan. 8
The Next Congress

We explore the disagreements that could define the new Congress — and potentially derail Donald Trump’s agenda.
The New York Times - Jan. 7
Biden signs bipartisan outdoor recreation bill into law

President Biden on Monday signed a bipartisan bill aimed at boosting outdoor recreation weeks after it cleared the Senate. The bill, the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences Act, ...
The Hill - Jan. 6
For Democrats, strategic and bipartisan cooperation is necessary

Recognizing that there are areas where compromise can — and should — be reached while also understanding that Democrats should protect certain core principles is a good first step.
The Hill - Jan. 6
Memorial services for Jimmy Carter begin in Georgia ahead of state funeral

The memorial services for former President Jimmy Carter began in his home state of Georgia on Saturday, with an emotional motorcade through his hometown of Plains, ahead of his state funeral in ...
NBC News - Jan. 5
Speakership uncertainty as new Congress begins. Here's how voting will work.

The 119th Congress convenes Friday with a huge shift of power in Washington as the GOP takes control of both chambers ahead of Donald Trump's inauguration.
ABC News - Jan. 3
Watch live: House votes for Speaker as 119th Congress begins

All eyes are on Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) Friday as the House is set to vote on whether he will keep the gavel in the 119th Congress. What has historically been a routine vote has been upended ...
The Hill - Jan. 3
119th Congress set to begin with a House speaker vote to re-elect Mike Johnson

With the 119th Congress is set to begin, Republicans will take full control of the House and Senate for the first time since 2019 and face an early test in re-electing House Speaker Johnson with a ...
NBC News - Jan. 3
Speaker Mike Johnson faces crucial vote as new congress begins

Mike Johnson continues to fight to keep his position as House Speaker as the newly-elected 119th congress will be sworn in Friday and is set to vote on who will fill the spot. At least one ...
NBC News - Jan. 3
GOP majority begins 119th Congress with lengthy list of priorities

With newfound control of both chambers of Congress, Republican leaders are touting a list of priorities that they aim to quickly address, like immigration and taxes.
CBS News - Jan. 3
New Republican Congress to begin laying the groundwork for Trump's return

Congress starts a new session Friday with Republicans taking the majority in the House and Senate, electing a speaker and preparing for a second Trump administration.
NBC News - Jan. 3
The 119th Congress begins tomorrow. Here's what to know.

The 119th Congress begins Friday with Republicans in full control of the House and Senate for the first time since 2019. Here's what to know.
CBS News - Jan. 2