In a significant development, lawmakers have turned down a funding deal supported by President-elect Donald Trump, which was intended to finance substantial portions of the U.S. government. This rejection raises the likelihood of a partial government shutdown as the nation approaches the holiday season, with the transition of power in the White House looming just a month ahead.
In a significant decision, the House cast a vote of 235 to 174, ultimately rejecting the spending bill that required a two-thirds majority for approval. In a significant display of bipartisan division, thirty-eight Republicans aligned with 197 Democrats to oppose the bill.
In a swift move on Thursday, House Republicans worked diligently to develop a new continuing resolution, a temporary measure aimed at maintaining government operations. This effort came in the wake of their initial bipartisan agreement being undermined by former President Trump, along with allies Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy. On Thursday night, the House GOP is anticipated to regroup and strategize their forthcoming actions.
The current government funding is set to expire at the close of business this Friday.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., dedicated several hours on Thursday to closed-door discussions with fellow lawmakers as they worked to finalize a streamlined version of the bill, which notably excluded several contentious provisions that had previously caused unrest within his caucus.
In a striking display of political division, some Republicans have expressed their skepticism, while Democrats, incensed by Johnson’s decision to abandon the earlier bipartisan agreement, have firmly declared, “hell no.”
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., has stated that “Extreme Maga Republicans are driving us to a government shutdown,” referring to the new bill as “laughable.”
As the clock ticks down, the United States faces the looming prospect of a government shutdown. Without a last-minute agreement, numerous federal agencies are set to close their doors, resulting in furloughed employees and a cascade of other repercussions.
The latest government shutdown in the United States occurred during the holiday season, marking it as the longest shutdown in the nation’s history. The first Trump administration experienced a shutdown that lasted 35 days, spanning from December 2018 into January 2019.
In the event of a shutdown, all government services classified as non-essential, including the U.S. Postal Service and Social Security, will come to a standstill. In a significant development, national parks are set to close, while delays in government food assistance benefits are anticipated.
