Bipartisan Government Funding in Jeopardy as Trump Pushes Partisan Shift
WASHINGTON — For decades, bipartisan cooperation was essential in deciding how the federal government allocates its funds. But under former President Donald Trump and a Republican-led Congress, that tradition is unraveling fast.
The federal appropriations process — once a balanced, bipartisan effort — is now being driven by partisan agendas. With a potential government shutdown looming on September 30, the pressure is on to see whether both parties can still agree on a budget.
The New GOP Strategy
Republicans recently pushed through:
- A $300 billion boost in military and immigration spending via Trump’s megabill
- A $9 billion cut to domestic and foreign aid using a rare “rescission” procedure, sidestepping bipartisan agreements
These moves have alarmed many on both sides of the aisle.
“We don’t have an appropriations process. It’s broken,” said Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.).
Republicans appear prepared to rely on continuing resolutions and rescissions to fund the government throughout Trump’s term.
White House Budget Chief Sparks Backlash
Following Senate approval of the $9B in cuts, White House budget director Russell Vought ignited controversy by stating:
“The appropriations process has to be less bipartisan... I think we’ll get better results.”
His comments stunned Congress. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), Chair of the Appropriations Committee, criticized Vought:
“Mr. Vought’s lack of respect and apparent lack of understanding of how Congress operates is baffling.”
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) added:
“He disrespects the appropriations process… I think he thinks we are irrelevant.”
Democrats were outraged. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) called for Vought’s firing, accusing him of undermining democracy.
A Broken System
Even some Republicans acknowledge the damage. Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-Ala.) admitted:
“The rescission package… could complicate things.”
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) insisted the process can still work and promised to bring multiple funding bills to the floor, but admitted:
“It’s going to take 60 [votes] to fund the government.”
The Decline of Bipartisanship
Veteran lawmakers remember a different time. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), who is retiring after 30 years, reflected:
“We once had 12 open appropriation bills called to the floor — bipartisan, amendable, functional. That reflected the best of the Senate.”
Today, power is concentrated in party leadership, and large “omnibus” bills are negotiated behind closed doors. Conservatives in the House have pushed back, condemning those bills as “uniparty” deals.
“What we’re seeing now is the death of regular order,” said former Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell. “It empowers the president, regardless of party.”
Collins, the Lone GOP Holdout
Sen. Susan Collins, one of the last bipartisan voices, voted against both Trump-backed funding efforts. Facing reelection in a blue state Trump lost, she remains committed to bipartisan governance:
“I have no concerns about the future of the process,” Collins said.
But the math tells a different story — one that could end in gridlock or government shutdown.
Key Takeaways
- The traditional bipartisan appropriations process is faltering.
- Trump’s budget chief is promoting a partisan funding approach.
- Senate leaders are at odds over how to proceed.
- Democrats warn they won’t support any deal that breaks past bipartisan agreements.
With just weeks until the shutdown deadline, the fate of government funding — and the future of bipartisan budgeting — hangs in the balance.
