President Donald Trump is facing a busy week in the Oval Office, as lawmakers work to pass a continuing resolution to fund the federal government through September 30 or face a shutdown at the end of the week. Negotiators have released a 99-page piece of legislation that is expected to maintain current government funding levels. House Republicans are working to rally support for the bill, which they believe will pass on Republican votes alone. Meanwhile, House Democrats are urging lawmakers to reject the legislation, claiming it threatens to cut funding for vital programs like healthcare and veterans benefits.
In addition to the spending bill negotiations, Trump is also dealing with the implementation of tariffs of 25% on imports of steel and aluminum, scheduled to take effect on March 12. The president is set to receive a report on two assassination attempts made against him in the past year, including one in Butler, Pennsylvania and another in Florida. Trump has also hinted at the announcement of a new program for building very large ships, which he says will involve incentives and taxes that will attract investment from around the world.
Throughout the week, Trump has a number of high-profile meetings scheduled, including with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and Taoiseach Micheál Martin, the leader of Ireland. The ongoing negotiations for a cease-fire agreement between Russia and Ukraine are expected to be a major topic of discussion with Rutte. Additionally, Trump has declared March Irish-American Heritage Month and will welcome Martin to the White House on Wednesday.
Trump is beginning his eighth week back in the White House, having signed 87 executive orders since January 20, including 45 in the first 10 days. He delivered his first address to a joint session of Congress last Tuesday, which was deemed historic by conservative allies. As he heads into another busy week, Trump is focused on passing the continuing resolution to fund the government, dealing with the impending implementation of tariffs, and meeting with key leaders to discuss important international issues.
Overall, Trump’s week is expected to be filled with legislative negotiations, policy announcements, and high-profile meetings. The president is working to secure Republican support for a continuing resolution to fund the government and facing pushback from House Democrats who are concerned about potential cuts to essential programs. Additionally, Trump is preparing for the implementation of tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, as well as receiving reports on recent assassination attempts against him. Key meetings with world leaders, including NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and Taoiseach Micheál Martin, are also on the agenda for the week.
