WASHINGTON — On the eve of a possible government shutdown, the House decisively turned down President-elect Donald Trump’s latest proposal on Thursday, aimed at funding government operations and pausing the debt ceiling. This rejection came as many Democrats and a significant number of Republicans resisted Trump’s sudden demands, leaving House Speaker Mike Johnson in a challenging position as he sought to devise an alternative ahead of the looming Friday midnight deadline.
Following the vote, where the proposal fell well short of the necessary two-thirds margin with a defeat of 174-235, Johnson declared that lawmakers would regroup to formulate a new plan. “We’re going to regroup and we will come up with another solution, so stay tuned,” he stated after the results were announced. The hastily crafted plan struggled to garner even a simple majority, demonstrating a significant setback for both Trump and his wealthy supporter, Elon Musk. They condemned Johnson’s bipartisan compromise previously established to avert a government crisis during the Christmas season.
This incident foreshadows a tumultuous time ahead as Trump prepares to resume his presidency with the Republican Party holding control of both the House and the Senate. During his initial term, Trump instigated the longest government shutdown in U.S. history over the 2018 holiday season and disrupted the holidays again in 2020 by collapsing a bipartisan COVID relief package.
Earlier on Thursday, Trump had declared “SUCCESS in Washington!” after proposing a new plan that would keep governmental operations running for three additional months, provide $100.4 billion in disaster recovery funding, and secure the ability to borrow through January 30, 2027. Through social media, Trump highlighted that “Speaker Mike Johnson and the House have come to a very good Deal.” However, resistance arose from Republicans who spent the previous 24 hours negotiating within their ranks to address conservative discontent with the previous proposal.
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries reiterated that Democrats would not support Trump’s proposal, labeling it “laughable.” As he advanced towards a private Democratic meeting, a chant of “Hell, no!” echoed among party members. On that day, Johnson grappled with the task of accommodating Trump’s daunting demands while trying to maintain his leadership position, as federal offices braced for a potential halt in operations.
This proposal streamlined the extensive 1,500-page bill down to 116 pages but removed several contentious provisions, including the first pay raise for lawmakers in over a decade. Musk mobilized his social media followers against the revised plan, further complicating Johnson’s position.
Trump warned that Johnson needed to act decisively and firmly in response to his demands, hinting at potential repercussions for Republicans who support any measures that do not address the debt ceiling concerns. “Anyone who supports a bill that doesn’t address the Democrat quicksand known as the debt ceiling should be primaried and disposed of as quickly as possible,” he asserted in remarks to Fox News Digital.
The rapid developments fueled by Trump’s influence reminded many of previous standoffs during his administration. Musk and Vice President-elect JD Vance pointed fingers at Democrats, claiming they desired the current crisis. “They’ve asked for a shutdown. That’s exactly what they’re going to get,” Vance stated.
Johnson’s weakened state was evident as he faced a January 3 House vote to continue as speaker. Trump’s unyielding demands forced him to retract agreements he made with Democrats, compelling him to engage long into the night to establish a new proposal. In a surprising twist, some of Trump’s allies even entertained the idea of Musk becoming speaker, as Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene expressed her openness to the notion.
Democrats were in disbelief over the chaotic situation, viewing it as a culmination of a significantly unproductive Congress. “Here we are once again in chaos,” remarked House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark, emphasizing the detrimental effects a government shutdown would have on the American populace.
Leaving the Capitol, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called for a return to the bipartisan agreement to ensure government functions continue smoothly. The atmosphere in the House chamber intensified as representatives exchanged blame over the debacle, marked by Rep. Marc Molinaro slamming the speaker’s gavel so aggressively it broke.
The implications of this tumultuous unfolding of events remained serious, as Trump openly criticized members of his party who looked unfavorably upon his plans. Some hardline Republicans, including Rep. Chip Roy of Texas, faced backlash for opposing the proposal, resulting in heated exchanges where Roy chastised his colleagues for abandoning fiscal accountability.
Although the revised package allocated federal funds to restore the collapsed Key Bridge in Baltimore, it left out other bipartisan initiatives that were gaining traction. This new proposal extends government funding through March 14 but faces substantial opposition due to its inclusion of a debt ceiling increase, a significant sticking point for many Republicans.
While Democrats have previously suggested ideas for modifying or eliminating the debt ceiling altogether, they appear unwilling to negotiate with Johnson to extricate him from Trump’s vice grip. The current debt limit is set to expire on January 1, 2025, and Trump is set on resolving this issue before reentering the White House.
Both Trump and Musk have actively influenced the dialogue, as Musk utilized his platform to mobilize opposition against the bipartisan bill. The collapse of the proposal serves as a grim reminder of the challenges looming in the new Congress. As he departed the Capitol on Thursday night, Johnson offered a concise response about the future. “We’ll see,” he said, leaving uncertainty in the air.