GOP already fighting with itself over the budget ... and Trump's not even president yet

Really, having Republicans in charge of the entire government is going to be many things, but smooth isn't one of them. They're already fighting over the budget for Fiscal Year 2017, which started on Oct. 1. The House was looking to extend current funding levels into early next year so Trump's White House could have more say about the budget. But Senate Republicans worry that renegotiating spending levels early next year will be tough amid all the confirmation hearings. Paul Ryan had been considering a stop-gap bill funding the government through March, but is now considering funding through April or May. But some Republicans worry about having any budget showdowns next spring and would prefer to do more than just pass a temporary funding measure. The Washington Post reports:

Senate Democrats next year could seek to block a spending package if it provides less funding for programs they support and House conservatives could balk if they feel overall funding number is too big — both scenarios could be a headache for the new Trump administration.

The possibility of such a fight has some in the GOP warning it’s a mistake to kick this year’s spending decisions into the next administration.

“This is bad for the military, it’s bad for every agency of the government,” Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.) said of the short-term bill. “I think it’s a bad decision and I think all concerned will live to regret it.”

Nonetheless, the stop-gap bill is likely to be completed by week's end. All of this is to say, get ready for more budget fun early next year. Republicans are already in disarray. Just wait until they control everything.