House Democrats whip "NO" on GOP plan to avoid government shutdown

House Democratic leaders are urging their members to oppose the stopgap spending bill Republicans plan to bring to the floor on Tuesday, according to aides and lawmakers. This raises the likelihood that the government could shut down on March 14.

Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y) is trying to impose party unity ahead of a showdown with Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), even if it opens Democrats to charges they played a role in shutting down the government.

Jeffries' moves also put him on a potential collision course with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), who has counseled his members not to entertain the prospect of a government shutdown.

Jeffries wants to show his members and his base that he's willing to confront Republicans in defense of a federal bureaucracy that they say is under assault from President Trump and Elon Musk.

Johnson has talked about relying only on GOP votes, but senior Republicans are eyeing the 13 House Democrats in Trump districts to get a bill across the line.

House leaders unveiled their plan to fund the government with a short-term spending bill on Saturday, with a voted planned for Tuesday.