Donald Trump faced a major political blow on Thursday as Republicans in Congress failed to pass a scaled-back spending bill, just one day before a potential government shutdown that could disrupt Christmas travel plans.
The House of Representatives rejected the Trump-backed proposal in a 174-235 vote. The bill, hastily reworked by Republican leaders after Trump and billionaire Elon Musk dismissed a prior bipartisan agreement, failed to garner sufficient support.
The rejection of the spending package, criticized by Democrats as chaotic and disorganized, is seen as a preview of potential turbulence when Trump returns to the White House on January 20. Musk’s involvement, including tweets promoting the bill on his platform X, drew ridicule from Democrats, who dubbed him “President Musk.”
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries called the proposal “laughable,” blaming “extreme MAGA Republicans” for pushing the government towards a shutdown.
Despite Trump’s endorsement, 38 Republicans joined nearly all Democrats in opposing the measure. The bill needed a two-thirds majority to pass, leaving the future course of action unclear.
The failed bill aimed to extend government funding through March, after Trump’s return to office, and included $100 billion in disaster relief. It also proposed suspending debt limits for two years, paving the way for the tax cuts Trump has promised and potentially increasing the federal debt beyond $36 trillion.
Republicans removed controversial elements from the earlier version, such as congressional pay raises and stricter rules for pharmacy benefit managers. However, critics, including some Republicans, argued the bill prioritized tax breaks for the wealthy, including Musk, while failing to address federal overspending.
Congressman Chip Roy expressed frustration, stating, “I am absolutely sickened by the party that campaigns on fiscal responsibility.”
The spending bill’s failure has intensified scrutiny of House Speaker Mike Johnson. Johnson, who ascended to the role last year after Kevin McCarthy was ousted, has struggled to unify his party. Thursday’s defeat highlighted the divisions, with Johnson unable to secure enough votes from his caucus.
Several Republicans have already indicated they may oppose Johnson’s leadership when Congress reconvenes in January, potentially setting the stage for another bitter fight for the speakership.
If no resolution is reached by midnight on Friday, the U.S. government will face a partial shutdown. This would halt funding for agencies such as border enforcement and national parks and leave more than 2 million federal employees without pay.
The Transportation Security Administration has warned of long lines at airports, potentially complicating travel during the holiday season.
Even if the House had passed the bill, it faced significant hurdles in the Democrat-controlled Senate. President Joe Biden opposed the package, with the White House accusing Republicans of prioritizing the interests of “billionaire benefactors” over those of average Americans.
The looming shutdown has raised concerns about its impact on financial markets, particularly as the U.S. debt ceiling suspension expires on January 1. A government default would have global repercussions, though Congress is not expected to address the issue until spring.
As the clock ticks towards the funding deadline, lawmakers face mounting pressure to find a compromise to avert a shutdown and restore stability to Washington.
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