A Republican spending bill, strongly supported by President-elect Donald Trump, failed to pass the U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday, leaving Congress with no clear path to prevent a looming government shutdown. The failure to secure approval sets the stage for potential disruptions across federal services and could deeply impact Americans during the upcoming holiday season.
The bill, which aimed to avert a shutdown by extending government funding through March, was rejected by a vote of 174-235. While Trump and billionaire Elon Musk had strongly backed the package, urging Republican leaders to support it, 38 Republicans joined Democrats in voting against it, leading to its failure.
With the government’s funding set to expire at midnight on Friday, the risk of a partial shutdown becomes imminent. A shutdown would lead to widespread disruptions, including delays in federal services, halting border enforcement, closing national parks, and suspending paychecks for over two million federal workers. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has already warned that long airport lines are expected, causing significant inconvenience to travelers during the busy Christmas period.
The proposed spending package resembled an earlier bipartisan deal that Trump and Musk had both criticized, labeling it a “wasteful” concession to Democrats. The bill included provisions to extend government funding until March, providing $100 billion in disaster relief, and suspending the debt ceiling for two years. This suspension would make it easier to pass the tax cuts promised by Trump and facilitate a continued increase in the national debt, currently projected at $36 trillion. Notably, provisions for a pay raise for lawmakers and new pharmacy rules were dropped in this version.
Trump’s push for the debt ceiling suspension was designed to clear the way for sweeping tax cuts for businesses and high-net-worth individuals, including backers like Musk. These changes, however, faced fierce opposition from both Democrats and some Republicans. Democrats labeled the proposal a giveaway to the wealthy, accusing Republicans of putting fiscal irresponsibility above the well-being of the nation.
As lawmakers debated the bill, the political divide was palpable. Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson argued that the package would provide necessary short-term funding, prevent shutdown disruptions, and allow for future spending cuts once Trump takes office in January. He emphasized that the bill would ensure government operations continued without interruption, particularly during the holiday season.
However, Democrats strongly criticized the deal, with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries calling it a budget-busting tax cut that would increase national debt, benefiting the wealthiest Americans at the expense of the broader population. “How dare you lecture America about fiscal responsibility?” Jeffries said during the floor debate.
Some Republicans, too, voiced concerns over the bill’s potential to increase national debt without addressing the core issues of government spending. Representative Chip Roy expressed his dismay, saying he was “sickened” by a party that touts fiscal responsibility while allowing for more debt accumulation.
Even if the bill had passed the House, it faced significant hurdles in the Senate, which is controlled by Democrats, and President Biden has made it clear that he does not support the measure.
The failure to pass the spending deal raises the prospect of a government shutdown, with significant consequences for federal services and the broader economy. A shutdown would directly impact services crucial to citizens, from public safety to economic recovery efforts. The ongoing debate over the debt ceiling, which had already caused financial market volatility in the past, also remains unresolved. Although the debt ceiling suspension expires on January 1, lawmakers are not expected to address the issue until spring.
As Congress remains deadlocked, the American public watches closely, with concerns over how this gridlock will impact government operations and financial stability in the coming months. The outcome of these discussions could set the tone for fiscal policy and governance in the new year under the Biden administration and a Republican-controlled Congress.
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