WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump unexpectedly dismissed a bipartisan initiative aimed at averting a potential government shutdown before the Christmas break. He instructed House Speaker Mike Johnson and fellow Republicans to renegotiate, adding pressure just days ahead of a deadline for federal funding, which is set to expire soon.
Trump’s abrupt involvement in this matter, along with his new demands, has thrown Congress into chaos as lawmakers hustle to finalize their work and head home for the holiday season. This has left Speaker Johnson in a challenging position to develop an alternative strategy before the impending deadline on Friday.
In a joint statement with Vice President-elect JD Vance, Trump urged Republicans to be more astute and resolute. His proposals intertwined a continuation of government funding with a contentious condition to elevate the national debt ceiling—an action usually opposed by many within his own party. They insisted that failing to adhere to these conditions would be a disservice to the nation.
Democrats condemned the Republican backlash against the temporary funding bill, which additionally included approximately $100.4 billion in disaster relief for states affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, among other calamities. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries criticized the GOP for their stance, asserting that denying funding would hurt the daily lives of Americans.
Jeffries emphasized the importance of honoring agreements, asserting that Republicans would be held accountable for any negative consequences suffered by the American public due to their actions. As the massive 1,500-page funding proposal faced disintegration, far-right conservatives voiced their opposition to increased spending, encouraged by vocal supporters such as billionaire Elon Musk, who criticized the plan almost immediately after its release.
Many lawmakers expressed frustrations over additional measures in the bill, such as the proposal for their first pay raises in over ten years, particularly surprising after an unproductive legislative period. Even with the essential disaster assistance—aimed at supporting states recovering from recent hurricanes and economic distress for farmers—the plan failed to garner backing from budget-conscious Republicans, who awaited cues from Trump on how to proceed.
Musk communicated his dissent on social media, effectively galvanizing public opposition. Lawmaker Rep. Andy Barr noted that his office was inundated with calls from constituents responding to Musk’s comments.
This turn of events poses significant challenges for Johnson, echoing the difficulties faced by previous Republican House leaders in persuading their majority to support typical federal funding requirements, which many prefer to reduce rather than sustain.
This situation signals the daunting challenges Republicans will confront in the upcoming year as they assume control of the House, the Senate, and the White House, highlighting the necessity for Johnson and GOP leaders to closely align with Trump to advance any legislative agendas successfully.
Musk, now heading Trump’s new Department of Government Efficiency, threatened that any House or Senate member supporting the proposed spending bill could face future electoral repercussions, a stern warning from someone with considerable financial influence.
Democratic Representative Jamie Raskin of Maryland expressed concerns about the increasing power of wealthy individuals, framing the situation as a troubling oligarchic dynamic. Observing developments from across the Capitol, senators from both parties shared their distress over the ongoing discord.
Sen. Josh Hawley, a Republican, questioned whether this would become standard operating procedure, pointing the finger at Speaker Johnson for the turmoil.
Typically, bipartisan efforts involve Democratic support to ensure passage, particularly concerning significant legislative proposals. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre urged Republicans to cease political gamesmanship.
Nevertheless, Trump’s new insistence on altering the debt ceiling complicates matters for Johnson, who has made strides to maintain rapport with the president-elect. The urgent demand for a debt ceiling extension adds to the pressure, with the current limit set to lapse in 2025.
While previous House Speaker Kevin McCarthy struggled for months to negotiate a debt limit increase with President Joe Biden, the resulting deal ultimately did not satisfy many House Republicans, leading to McCarthy’s ouster.
Now, Trump is looking to Johnson to facilitate a debt ceiling extension in a mere two days before a potential government shutdown. The bipartisan initiative that Trump opposed would have extended current government programs and services for a few more months, through March 14, 2025.
This temporary measure is crucial since Congress has not approved annual appropriations necessary to fund various government agencies, including critical sectors like national security and health services.
However, the extensive bill included more than just basic funding, incorporating numerous provisions, including federal funds for repairing Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge and transferring land from federal to local control, which could pave the way for a new sports stadium.
Some lawmakers criticized the bill’s contents; Rep. Anna Paulina Luna described it using a derogatory term, characterizing it as a worthless mishmash. Additionally, the proposal included a measure for a pay raise that could lead to a maximum adjustment of 3.8%, potentially elevating lawmakers’ annual salaries to $180,600 for the first time since 2009.
In summary, the political maneuvering and contrasting priorities reflect a significant challenge for Washington as parties and individuals grapple with the immediate funding needs against broader fiscal considerations.
