“Fight for another day,” Donald Trump announced, “when the timing is right.” When one of the most pugnacious presidents of modern American history urges strategic patience, we should listen.

Republicans hate continuing resolutions. They want to return to regular-order budgeting and real spending cuts. All of that is understandable, but we should look for the best ground on which to fight – and a midyear budget fight that stalemated months ago isn’t it.

The better ground will come as soon as this budget gets finished. Unlike last year, Republicans have control of both chambers of Congress and the White House. They also have the opportunity in the next budget to use reconciliation bills to achieve real reductions, both through DOGE and closing out those spending programs that Congress must approve. This CR does offer a token reduction of spending, plus increased funds for the Pentagon and ICE’s efforts to ramp up deportations of criminal illegal aliens. 

In short, the only way to lose is to fail to unite. Pass the CR and prepare for the real fight ahead.