Congressional appropriators lose influence over funding decisions

Congressional appropriators, who oversee government funding, are losing their power. Once respected negotiators, they now find themselves sidelined by President Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and Republican leaders. This shift was evident last week when GOP leaders quickly pushed through a stopgap funding bill for the next several months, further diminishing the appropriators’ influence. Appropriators believe this is just a temporary setback. They want to return to “regular order” and complete the 12 annual spending bills on time, something not done since the 1990s. Senator Shelley Moore Capito expressed concern about their current situation, emphasizing the need to follow traditional procedures. However, tensions are high, and many appropriators feel demoralized. Trump's administration has frozen government grants and foreign aid while making significant changes to federal budgets. Legislators accepted a seven-month funding patch, which they believe contradicts their previous efforts. Former Republican appropriators described this situation as a significant loss of power for their committee. Despite their frustrations, all Republican appropriators voted for the new funding bill, which also received support from Senate Democrats. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer argued that Congress still holds authority over appropriations, even as concerns were raised about Trump's influence. In recent weeks, the power dynamics have shifted even more. House Republicans passed the funding measure without Democratic support, signaling a new approach to spending. Some conservatives celebrated the changes while others criticized the bill's contents. Moderate Republicans like Susan Collins have begun to align more closely with the party's conservative members, engaging with them to strengthen their positions. The appropriators, once central to budget negotiations, now face significant challenges in regaining their influence in Congress.