WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump has dismissed a bipartisan proposal intended to avert a government shutdown during the holiday season. He urged House Speaker Mike Johnson and fellow Republicans to renegotiate just days before the critical deadline for federal funding expiration.
This unexpected demand has thrown Congress into disarray as lawmakers are eager to complete their work and return home for the holidays. House Speaker Johnson is now in a race against time to devise a new strategy before the impending Friday deadline to maintain government operations.
Trump has gone as far as to threaten Republican lawmakers who might support the funding measure with challenges in upcoming primary elections. In a post on his social media platform, he asserted that any Republican voting for a “clean Continuing Resolution” (CR) without significant Republican objectives would face consequences. Trump indicated that passing such a measure after January 20, when he officially takes office, would only drag the responsibilities of the current administration into his term, thereby complicating his presidency from the start.
A “clean CR” typically continues funding at the same levels as the previous fiscal year without any additional changes. Trump cautioned that any Republican backing this type of measure should be prepared for primary challenges in the future. He underlined the urgency to resolve the situation prior to his inauguration, calling out any Republican choosing to support the bill as “stupid.”
Public sentiment regarding both Elon Musk and Trump appears to intertwine; over 80% of Americans hold similar opinions of both, whether positive or negative. Around half have unfavorable perceptions of both figures, while approximately one-third view them favorably. Republican sentiments show a stronger affinity for both men compared to independents and Democrats. Specific demographics illustrate that about 40% of white Americans have favorable views compared to lower rates among Hispanic and Black adults.
As many Republicans anticipated voting for the continuing resolution and heading home for the holidays, the situation took an unexpected turn. By Wednesday evening, many Congress members found themselves amidst celebrations when Trump’s posts essentially dismantled a carefully brokered agreement with Democrats. Representative Steve Womack, a senior Republican appropriator, expressed his frustration, stating that the current turmoil was far from unexpected given his years in Congress.
Trump has noted he will “fight ’till the end” to secure an increase in the debt limit, although the end may seem distant. Congress had previously suspended the debt limit until January 2025 in a plan negotiated by then-Speaker McCarthy. Still, this arrangement led to dissatisfaction among some House Republicans, resulting in McCarthy’s ousting when several Republicans sided with Democrats against him. Now, Trump is pressuring Johnson to push through a debt ceiling extension amid looming deadlines for federal operations.
He criticized the current Continuing Resolution as “ridiculous and extraordinarily expensive” and argued that expecting Congress to pass the measure without addressing the approaching debt ceiling would be irresponsible. Trump accused Democrats of attempting to create a situation that could embarrass Republicans when the debt ceiling issue arises for a vote in June, stating he would oppose any measure that does not address it immediately. This comes as the U.S. Treasury defines the debt limit as the maximum amount the government can borrow to fulfill its financial obligations.
In the halls of Congress, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries made it clear that any possible shutdown would fall upon the shoulders of Republicans. He asserted that they “will now own any harm” resulting from the potential government shutdown, emphasizing that an agreement had already been reached, reflecting bipartisan support.
Democratic leaders criticized the Republican backlash against the temporary stopgap measure designed to provide emergency assistance for disaster recovery. In fact, the proposed measure included about $100 billion in support for states ravaged by natural disasters such as Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Jeffries closed his remarks reiterating the necessity of bipartisan agreements in governing processes.
Elon Musk, while not holding any formal government role, has been vocal in expressing his opposition to the spending proposal through his prominent social media platform. Following the proposal’s release, Musk quickly condemned it, insisting that it should not pass. Musk’s influence in conservative circles has led him to threaten political repercussions for any lawmakers supporting what he considers excessive spending.
Trump’s rejection of this bipartisan spending agreement injected a sense of chaos reminiscent of his previous term, showcasing his continued dominance and influence over Republican levers of power. This incident underscored the significant sway Musk and figures like Vivek Ramaswamy continue to have, especially as they rallied against budget legislation on social media platforms.
As Congress races against time, the possibility of a government shutdown looms larger. If an agreement or a continuing resolution fails to pass by the Friday deadline, the federal government could enter a shutdown period. As legislators grapple with the fundamentals of funding, important concepts like continuing resolutions (CRs) and omnibus bills will take center stage in discussions that are crucial for determining the future of government operations.
In short, the political landscape remains as fractured as ever, with leaders from both parties anticipating the consequences of this ongoing budget impasse as negotiations unfold in a climate of uncertainty.