- globetrotter
- 10 Feb 2025
- #General
Sen. Andy Kim Signals Possible Government Shutdown to Counter Trump Administration’s Agency Overhauls
Sen. Andy Kim (D-N.J.) has hinted that Democrats may withhold votes necessary to keep the government funded if the Trump administration continues restructuring key federal agencies. Speaking to a media, Kim warned that Republicans "should not count on" Democratic support for upcoming spending bills, particularly if efforts to dismantle agencies like USAID and the Department of Education persist.
“They are simply trying to dismantle the government,” Kim stated. “If we have to use the leverage we have to hold them accountable, then I cannot support efforts that enable this lawlessness.”
With a critical March 14 funding deadline looming, the possibility of a government shutdown is growing. Despite Republican control of Congress, internal divisions may require Democratic votes to pass spending legislation—votes that could be in jeopardy if budget cuts and agency overhauls continue.
Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), vice chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, echoed Kim’s concerns, emphasizing the need for bipartisan trust in government spending agreements. “Democrats and Republicans alike must be able to trust that when a deal gets signed into law, it will be followed,” she said.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration, with Elon Musk reportedly involved in federal restructuring efforts, faces mounting opposition from Democrats. Progressive groups like Indivisible and MoveOn are rallying support for a harder stance against these changes, urging lawmakers to use every tool available to push back.
As the funding deadline approaches, the standoff between Democrats and the White House is intensifying, raising the stakes for a potential government shutdown.
