Fiscal hawks pivot: House Freedom Caucus backs a long-term “flat CR” as the shutdown hits day 39
In a striking tactical reversal, conservative budget hawks are now pushing to end the record‑length federal shutdown with a long‑term continuing resolution that would freeze discretionary spending at prior levels through 2026—an approach Republicans once decried as dysfunctional. The proposal, championed by the House Freedom Caucus, immediately exposed rifts inside the GOP and set up a new collision with Democrats who want health‑care subsidies addressed before reopening the government. [1]
- What’s new: Freedom Caucus urges a CR “as far into 2026 as possible,” keeping funding flat and blocking an omnibus. [2]
- Why it matters: A long CR would reset the debate from cutting or raising spending to entrenching the status quo—altering leverage for both parties. [3]
- Where things stand: Shutdown enters its 39th day after talks stalled and a Democratic compromise was rebuffed. [4]
The strategic pivot: “Flat” funding into 2026
The House Freedom Caucus formalized support this week for a long‑term CR that would keep federal discretionary outlays at roughly 2023 levels, ideally running past the November 2026 midterms. Their stated aim is to “block” a year‑end omnibus while preserving leverage to pursue deeper structural cuts later. The stance marks a departure from years of conservative criticism that CRs lock in “Democrat” spending baselines. [5]
Key development: Reuters reports the flat‑funding push has traction among hardliners but lacks broad backing from Senate Republicans and faces unified Democratic opposition. [6]
Inside the GOP: Appropriators balk at going long
Republican leaders in the Senate, including Majority Leader John Thune and Appropriations Chair Susan Collins, have signaled preference for shorter CRs that allow time to negotiate individual appropriations bills—rather than locking in a full‑year placeholder that sidelines committee work. Collins has repeatedly warned that shutdowns and lengthy CRs freeze new starts, delay defense modernization, and force agencies into costly workarounds. [7]
“We simply asked Democrats to extend existing funding levels to allow the Senate to continue the bipartisan appropriations work that we started.” — Sen. John Thune, Sept. 30, 2025. [8]
Why appropriators resist a year‑long CR
- Program “new starts” and expansions are typically restricted, hampering mission delivery. [9]
- Budget uncertainty increases inefficiency—agencies delay contracts, hiring, and investments. [10]
- Defense accounts face misalignment with current operational needs absent tailored anomalies. [11]
Democrats’ posture: No reopening without health‑care relief
Democrats remain opposed to a “clean” CR without action on expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies, arguing that millions face premium spikes absent an extension. On Friday, Sen. Chris Coons backed a Schumer compromise to reopen government and secure a path on subsidies and appropriations—a plan Republicans swiftly dismissed. [12]
“This compromise reopens the government [and] provides immediate relief to millions of Americans whose health care premiums are about to skyrocket.” — Sen. Chris Coons, Nov. 7, 2025. [13]
The shutdown’s mounting pressure points
Flights disrupted
FAA staffing strain triggered more than a thousand cancellations on Nov. 7, with airlines warning of continued reductions near the holidays. [14]
Nutritional aid uncertainty
Lawmakers of both parties have raised alarms over SNAP continuity during the shutdown, highlighting the stakes for low‑income families. [15]
Record duration
At 38 days yesterday—and 39 today—the impasse is now the longest on record, with cross‑party blame and limited progress toward a deal. [16]
What a long‑term CR actually does (and doesn’t) do
- Freezes discretionary toplines at a specified prior‑year rate; agencies operate under prior‑year policy constraints unless “anomalies” are enacted. [17]
- Limits “new starts,” often delaying grants, contracts, and program launches; slows hiring and procurement. [18]
- May require case‑by‑case anomalies (e.g., defense pay tables, air‑traffic controller hiring) to avoid operational degradation. [19]
| Option | What it is | Pros | Cons | Political viability (near‑term) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Long‑term “flat” CR | Extends prior‑year funding levels well into 2026 | Ends shutdown quickly without raising topline; blocks omnibus; predictable baseline for months 🧭 | Locks in old priorities; restricts new starts; weakens appropriations committees’ leverage; Democrats oppose without health fixes | Low–moderate (GOP split; Dems opposed) [20] |
| Short CR with sidecar | Weeks‑long CR plus agreement to vote on ACA subsidies | Creates space for talks; addresses premium spike risk | Another cliff; Freedom Caucus resistance to concessions | Moderate if leaders cut a narrow deal [21] |
| Full‑year appropriations | Regular bills or minibus packages enacted | Restores regular order; tailored policy and anomalies | Time‑consuming; major policy fights; requires cross‑party votes in Senate | Low in current stalemate [22] |
| Targeted reopeners | Selective funding (e.g., FAA, defense pay) during shutdown | Mitigates acute harms (air travel, troops’ pay) ✈️ | Reduces urgency to compromise; partisan finger‑pointing | Mixed; failed tests already in Senate [23] |
How each side frames the leverage
Freedom Caucus calculus
Freeze spending, deny Democrats an omnibus, and live to fight policy battles later—while claiming fiscal discipline and victory over “baseline creep.” [24]
Appropriators’ warning
Long CRs erode oversight and degrade readiness without anomalies; short CRs are a bridge to negotiated bills, not an end state. [25]
Democrats’ red line
No reopening without ACA subsidy relief; they argue a flat CR locks in policies while families face immediate premium hikes. [26]
What to watch next
- Does Senate GOP leadership entertain a medium‑length CR that includes a guaranteed vote on health‑care subsidies—testing Democratic unity? [27]
- Do House conservatives hold firm on a CR into 2026, or accept a shorter bridge if it contains defense and FAA anomalies? [28]
- Operational strain indicators: air‑travel disruptions; agencies announcing paused grants, hiring freezes, or delayed contracts. [29]
Process primer: CRS and GAO document that CRs generally bar new projects, complicate planning, and raise costs; full‑year CRs function like appropriations but still reflect past priorities—making targeted “anomalies” essential if Congress goes long. [30]
Bottom line
The Freedom Caucus’ embrace of a long‑term, flat CR is the most consequential tactical shift of the shutdown so far. It would end the immediate crisis while cementing last year’s priorities and sidelining the annual appropriations process—an outcome Senate appropriators resist and Democrats won’t accept without a health‑care concession. Unless leaders can craft a short bridge with a credible path on subsidies, the impasse—and its real‑world fallout—will persist. [31]
References
- Reuters, “In shutdown fight, fiscal hawks in US Congress push for flat spending,” Nov. 8, 2025. [32]
- AP News, “Republicans swat down Democratic offer to end shutdown as impasse continues into 38th day,” Nov. 7, 2025. [33]
- House Freedom Caucus statement (via Rep. Burlison), Nov. 4, 2025. [34]
- Sen. John Thune press materials on CR/shutdown, Sept.–Oct. 2025. [35]
- Sen. Susan Collins floor remarks/letters on CRs and shutdown operations. [36]
- Sen. Chris Coons statement on Schumer compromise, Nov. 7, 2025. [37]
- AP News, “Hundreds of flights canceled nationwide due to government shutdown,” Nov. 7, 2025. [38]
- CRS, “Continuing Resolutions: Overview of Components and Practices,” updated Mar. 27, 2025. [39]
- CRS, “Interim Continuing Resolutions: Potential Impacts on Agency Operations.” [40]
- GAO-13-464T, “Effects of Budget Uncertainty from Continuing Resolutions on Agency Operations.” [41]
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