WASHINGTON — With the threat of a government shutdown looming, the Senate quickly approved a bipartisan measure early Saturday morning that would provide temporary funding for federal operations and disaster relief. This agreement notably omitted President-elect Donald Trump’s requests for a debt ceiling increase, which he had pushed for to be included in any final deal.
House Speaker Mike Johnson emphasized the need for Congress to fulfill its responsibilities and prevent any interruption to federal services prior to the busy Christmas season. However, the day’s proceedings became uncertain when Trump reiterated his stance on including the debt ceiling discussions in the negotiations. In a social media post early in the day, he warned that if his demands were not met, the government should “start shuttering now.”
The House voted overwhelmingly in favor of Johnson’s new proposal with a 366-34 tally. Following a late-night session, the Senate approved the measure 85-11, just as the midnight deadline passed. Shortly after, the White House announced it had halted plans for a shutdown.
“This is a positive outcome for the country,” Johnson stated after the House vote, noting that he had communicated with Trump, who expressed satisfaction with the result. President Joe Biden, largely absent from the public eye during the previous week’s turbulence, was anticipated to sign the bill into law on Saturday.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer assured that there would be “no government shutdown.” The legislation marked Johnson’s third effort as House Speaker to keep federal operations running. Its passage opens up questions about Johnson’s job security, especially with vocal dissent from some of his Republican colleagues and Trump’s influence making waves in Washington.
Trump’s late demand for a debt limit increase created challenges for Johnson, who faced tough opposition from within his own party. Many conservative Republicans prioritized cutting federal spending and were resistant to proposals that would incur more debt. As Republicans anticipate taking full control of the government in the upcoming year, including plans for tax cuts and other priorities, they still needed Democratic support to finalize routine governance tasks.
Social media reactions included skepticism from billionaire Elon Musk, who questioned whether the bill was truly representative of Republican values or if it was merely a Democratic initiative.
The slimmed-down 118-page bill would maintain government funding at current levels until March 14. It also included $100 billion in disaster assistance and $10 billion dedicated to agricultural support. Trump’s demand for lifting the debt ceiling was conspicuously absent, despite leaders indicating it would be revisited in the coming year alongside plans for tax reform and budget cuts.
House Democrats expressed reservations about the latest measure because of Johnson’s deviation from earlier bipartisan agreements. Rep. Rosa DeLauro highlighted concerns about Musk’s influence over Republican decisions, asking pointedly who was actually making the choices. Nonetheless, more House Democrats participated in voting for the bill than Republicans, as nearly three dozen conservative Republicans chose to oppose it.
In the Senate, the majority of dissent stemmed from Republican members, with independent Senator Bernie Sanders criticizing Musk’s involvement as undermining democratic processes.
Though not yet inaugurated, Trump is demonstrating both influence and limitations in navigating Congressional dynamics from Mar-a-Lago, where he has maintained communication with Musk, who is set to lead the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency. His administration aims to significantly reduce the federal budget and implement large-scale layoffs while seeking substantial tax reforms from Congress.
Trump has displayed indifference to the implications of a government shutdown, recalling the lengthy shutdown during his previous term. He insisted that if a shutdown were imminent, it should commence immediately. The president-elect also sought to delay discussions about the debt ceiling until after he takes office, wanting to avoid contentious negotiations that could overshadow the beginning of his administration. Johnson now carries the responsibility to fulfill these expectations.
Government personnel were previously warned to brace for a shutdown that could potentially leave millions, including military workers, without paychecks during the holiday season. Biden had engaged in dialogues with Democratic leaders throughout the week, while White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre criticized Republicans for undermining the deal.
As discussions continued throughout the day, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell reminded his colleagues of the detrimental effects a shutdown could have, emphasizing the political risks involved in such actions. Johnson even sought guidance from House Republicans regarding their next moves, aware that not just the shutdown but his leadership position was in jeopardy. The first vote of the new Congress on January 3 will be crucial for his role, and speculation has emerged regarding Musk’s potential candidacy for Speaker.
Before the vote, Johnson did consult with Musk about the “extraordinary challenges” of leading the House as they faced significant legislative hurdles ahead.
