WASHINGTON — A particularly tumultuous session of Congress is on the brink of transitioning into a new one, highlighted by the recent passage of a government shutdown package just before midnight. This legislative maneuver revealed the growing political divisions in Washington as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to return to the White House. Meanwhile, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., is working to secure his position while Republicans gear up to take control of both the House and Senate come January.
In a display of bipartisanship, Republican and Democratic lawmakers united to ensure government operations continue for a few extra months, allocating approximately $100 billion for disaster relief. This collaboration demonstrated that, despite the chaos, the functioning of the House and Senate remains possible to address fundamental governance needs.
“It’s uplifting news that a bipartisan approach ultimately triumphed after a few chaotic days in the House,” stated Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat. “This serves as a valuable lesson for the next year, emphasizing the necessity for both sides to collaborate.”
However, the coming year presents significant challenges for Republicans, who have made bold pledges to not only cut taxes and drastically reduce spending but also to channel resources into Trump’s initiatives for border security and deportation. Johnson has indicated readiness for a substantial and impactful kickoff in January, but first, he must solidify his grip on power.
The first act of the new House session on January 3 will be the election of a speaker, a crucial moment for Johnson who is currently under scrutiny for his leadership during the shutdown crisis. Johnson was not initially the favored choice among House Republicans; he was selected when internal disagreements led to the ousting of the previous speaker, Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif.
Maintaining his position as speaker is increasingly challenging for Johnson. The turmoil surrounding the government shutdown has underscored the limitations of his influence within the party, especially as Trump’s initial funding proposals failed. The level of support he can count on from fellow Republicans remains uncertain.
“It’s an ongoing concern,” remarked Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., one of the fiscal conservatives who voted for McCarthy’s removal. “At the end of the day, a significant part of Johnson’s fate may rely on Donald Trump.”
Despite these uncertainties, Johnson managed to gain some breathing room by assuring Trump that he will meet the expectations for raising the debt limit next year. Johnson has kept a close relationship with Trump, traveling to Mar-a-Lago and attending events together, which seems to have paid off. He claimed Trump was “certainly happy” with the final legislative agreement reached.
However, Johnson’s majority is fragile, having lost seats during the recent elections. Moreover, Democrats will counter him with their candidate for speaker, Hakeem Jeffries of New York.
Critics, including Trump associate Steven Bannon, have voiced doubts about Johnson’s capabilities, suggesting he lacks the essential qualities of leadership, such as courage and strategic acumen.
In a surprising twist, Elon Musk, the wealthiest individual in the world, is becoming a significant figure in political discussions on Capitol Hill. Musk wielded his influence through his platform, X, fiercely criticizing Johnson’s original bipartisan proposal, prompting a notable wave of resistance among lawmakers.
“Kill the bill,” Musk proclaimed, garnering attention and pushing back against the negotiations. His criticisms drew backlash, with some Democrats and at least one Republican perceiving him as a symbol of unchecked wealth rather than a champion of reform.
Sen. Bernie Sanders voiced his concerns about the impact of Musk’s actions on democracy, stating, “The precedent looks troubling – it seems no essential legislation can advance without endorsement from the wealthiest individual in our nation.”
Meanwhile, within the party, tensions have arisen as some conservatives, like Rep. Chip Roy of Texas, have stood against Trump’s push for an increased debt limit. Trump reacted by attempting to undermine Roy’s position, suggesting a potential primary challenge against him. Nevertheless, Roy has maintained support among deficit-focused constituents, refusing to yield to pressure.
The recent rejection of Trump’s desired spending and debt ceiling proposal has signaled potential difficulties ahead. Republicans are likely to confront the debt ceiling issue in the first half of the year, which will have significant repercussions in upcoming policy discussions.
In a clandestine agreement, Johnson and fellow Republicans have reportedly ensured steep budget cuts over the next decade in exchange for raising the debt limit – a critical condition to avert a federal default. However, not every Republican is in favor of such compromises.
“Who says this is the arena for gentlemen?” stated Burchett, expressing strong reservations over negotiations with substantial fiscal implications. Trump, though having suffered a setback with the fiscal conservatives, still maintains considerable sway on Capitol Hill, as Burchett affirmed, “He remains influential and continues to be loved by supporters back home, which is ultimately what counts.”