A bipartisan agreement to prevent a government shutdown around Christmas was abruptly rejected by President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday. Instead, he gave House Speaker Mike Johnson and Republicans instructions to basically renegotiate only days before a deadline when federal funding expires.
Congress was in disarray as lawmakers tried to complete their job and get home for the holidays after Trump’s sudden entrance into the debate and additional demands. In order to maintain government operations, Johnson is rushing to come up with a new plan before Friday’s deadline.
Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance said in a statement that Republicans need to be tough and smart.
The president-elect made an almost unfeasible proposal that included a highly contentious clause to increase the national debt ceiling—a move that his own party consistently opposes—along with a continuance of government funding. They came to the conclusion that anything else would be a betrayal of our nation.
In addition to providing $100 billion in disaster aid to areas ravaged by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, among other natural disasters, the stopgap legislation was the subject of a Republican revolt that Democrats denounced.
House Republicans were instructed to shut down the government by House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
They harm the American working class that they claim to protect. You are accountable for the repercussions if you violate the bipartisan agreement.
Already, the massive 1,500-page bill was on the verge of collapse, as hard-right conservatives opposed the increased spending, aided by Trump s billionaire ally Elon Musk, who rejected the plan almost as soon as it was released late Tuesday night.
Following one of the most chaotic and ineffective sessions in modern history, rank-and-file politicians voiced their displeasure with the additional spending, which included their first pay increases in almost a decade. Many Republicans awaited Trump’s decision on whether or not to cast their ballots.
The budget-cutting GOP was unmoved even by the inclusion of much-needed disaster funding, which came to a total of $100.4 billion in the wake of the storms and other natural disasters that devastated states this year, along with $10 billion in economic help for farmers.
Early on Wednesday morning, Musk said on his social media platform X that this should not pass.
Johnson, like previous Republican House speakers, has failed to convince his majority to support normal federal government operations that they would prefer to reduce, so the result is not surprising.
When Republicans take control of the House, Senate, and White House next year, it will be hard for them to come together and govern the nation. Additionally, it highlights the extent to which Johnson and other Republican leaders depend on Trump’s endorsement in order to advance any legislation.
Does President Trump want the government to be shut down or does he want Republicans to support the CR? In a post on X, departing Senator Mitt Romney, R-Utah, stated that chaos reigns when there is no direction.
Musk, the head of the recently established Department of Government Efficiency, issued a warning: any senator or member of the House who supports this ridiculous expenditure plan would be removed from office within two years!
The richest guy in the world, Musk, isn’t just issuing empty threats. He played a significant role in financing Trump s victory and has the ability to significantly influence political careers through his America PAC.
According to Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland, the issue with an oligarchy is that a handful of wealthy people run everything, and everyone is supposed to live in fear of them; their wealth becomes an instrument of coercive power over everything.
As is often the case with major legislation, Johnson will expect Democrats, who negotiated the final product with Senate GOP leadership, to provide sufficient support to ensure passage. Funding from the federal government expires on Friday at midnight.
The sooner Congress acts, the better, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer declared.
The final package extends existing government programs and services at their current levels for a few more months, until March 14, 2025.
The stopgap measure is required because Congress has failed to pass annual appropriations bills to fund all of the federal government s agencies, from the Pentagon and national security agencies to health, welfare, transportation, and other essential domestic services.
When the fiscal year ended on September 30, Congress simply postponed the issue by approving a temporary funding bill that expires Friday.
However, the inches-thick bill goes beyond routine funding and includes several other measures that lawmakers are attempting to pass before the end of the current congressional session, particularly since some elected officials will not be returning in the new year.
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., referred to it as a junk sandwich and used a swear word. Rep. Andy Harris, R-Md., the chairman of the Freedom Caucus, stated that many lawmakers are a little disappointed with how this last week has worked out.
Then there s the pay raise.
The elimination of a pay freeze provision from the previous short-term spending bill has caused some lawmakers to express concern. According to a Congressional Research Service report, this change could allow for a maximum 3.8% pay adjustment, or $6,600, in 2025, bringing their annual salary to $180,600.
The last raise for members of Congress came in 2009, when their annual salary increased by 2.8% to $174,000. Had the pay freeze not occurred since 2009, the salaries of members would have been approximately $217,900.
Salaries have decreased by about 31% since 2009, adjusted for inflation, according to the research report.
By what measure do we deserve a pay increase? said Republican Representative Ralph Norman of South Carolina.
The package includes full federal funding to rebuild Baltimore s Francis Scott Key Bridge, which collapsed due to a cargo ship that reported losing power shortly before the crash. The proceeds from insurance payments and litigation will reimburse federal taxpayers.
There is also a provision in the bill that would transfer the land on which the old RFK Stadium stood from the federal government to the District of Columbia, potentially leading to the construction of a new stadium for the Washington Commanders.
On the health care front, the legislation aims to expand coverage of telehealth appointments for Medicare enrollees while also limiting how much money pharmacy benefits managers the companies that negotiate how and what drugs are covered by insurance plans make from those deals.
The bill also includes provisions aimed at countering China, such as expanding on President Joe Biden s executive order to restrict investments in countries that pose a national security threat to the US.
Blocking China s high-tech ambitions is one of the few issues in Washington that has bipartisan support from Republicans and Democrats.
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Eliot Pierce is a dedicated writer for ChiefsFocus.com, covering local crime and finance news. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, Eliot aims to provide his readers with clear and insightful analysis, helping them navigate the complexities of their financial lives while staying informed about important local events. His commitment to delivering accurate and engaging content makes him a valuable resource for the community.