1. United States
2. Minn.
3. Letter

Democrats should stand firm in the funding negotiations and refuse to approve any spending plan that fails to rein in the Trump administration's unconstitutional overreach and attempts to undermine federal agencies. It is imperative that Congress reasserts its power of the purse and prevents the president from unilaterally dismantling portions of the government or redirecting funds without congressional approval. Any funding agreement must include robust oversight mechanisms and spending restrictions to check the president's authority. Allowing Trump and his Office of Management and Budget director Russell Vought unfettered discretion risks enabling further erosion of democratic norms and the rule of law. The administration has already exhibited a disturbing willingness to test the limits of executive power through efforts to abolish agencies like USAID and carry out mass firings across the federal workforce. While a government shutdown would undoubtedly impose hardships on federal workers and disrupt services, the far graver threat is capitulating to the president's authoritarian impulses. Yielding to his demands would effectively surrender Congress's constitutional role as a co-equal branch of government responsible for funding decisions. Lawmakers must use their leverage in this high-stakes negotiation to restore the proper balance of powers and safeguard democratic institutions from the Trump administration's assaults. The American people are relying on their representatives in Congress to hold the line against further democratic backsliding.