Senate leaders reach funding deal to avoid shutdown during campaign season
PBS News Hour – Politics — 2026-08-02 17:49:00 — www.pbs.org
Trump Administration Pushes for Massive Defense Hike, Faces Bipartisan Roadblocks on Spending Bill
Key senators have introduced a short-term spending bill to keep federal agencies funded through early December, aiming to avoid a government shutdown during the critical midterm election season. The bill generally maintains current funding levels but highlights sharp divisions over President Donald Trump’s budget priorities and controversial administrative rules.
Trump’s Push for Defense Increases and Domestic Cuts
According to the excerpt, Trump proposed a 10% cut in non-defense programs while calling for a dramatic 44% increase in defense spending. This aggressive shift in federal priorities has fueled partisan tensions, with Democrats and some Republicans pushing back against the scale of the proposed changes.
One notable request from the Trump administration that did not make it into the Senate bill was $1 billion to build so-called “Trump-class” battleships. Democrats highlighted the exclusion of this request as a key difference from the House version of the funding measure.
Efforts to Restrict Trump’s Control Over Federal Funds
The Senate bill also includes language to prevent the Trump administration from transferring funds from other programs to the Border Patrol, a move Democrats say is necessary to maintain congressional control over federal spending.
Further controversy surrounds a proposed rule from Trump’s administration that would require a senior political appointee at each agency to review federal grant proposals based on whether they advance the president’s policy priorities. Lawmakers from both parties, including Republican Sen. Susan Collins and Democratic Sen. Patty Murray, have sought to delay the rule, citing concerns it would politicize grants and harm small communities and biomedical research.
Democrats have gone further, seeking to kill the rule entirely. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer called the effort “disgraceful,” warning it would “further politicize all federal grants.” Democrats argue Trump could use federal grants to punish political opponents and reward allies, undermining Congress’s constitutional power of the purse.
Conclusion: High Stakes as Trump’s Priorities Face Scrutiny
The spending bill negotiations underscore the ongoing battle over Trump’s budget priorities and his administration’s attempts to expand executive control over federal funds. With both parties eager to avoid another government shutdown, the Senate’s actions reflect deep concerns about the administration’s approach to defense spending, domestic cuts, and the politicization of federal grants. As lawmakers continue to negotiate, the outcome will shape not only government funding but the balance of power between Congress and the White House.