Updated Story: Trump Pushes New Plan to Fund Government

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Updated Story: Trump Pushes New Plan to Fund Government \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ President-elect Donald Trump has unveiled a revised government funding and debt ceiling plan just hours before a potential government shutdown. The proposal, developed after intense closed-door negotiations, extends federal funding for three months, provides $100.4 billion in disaster relief, and raises the debt ceiling through 2027. However, the last-minute addition of a borrowing limit increase has disrupted bipartisan support, divided Republicans, and thrown Congress into chaos as lawmakers scramble to pass a resolution before Friday’s midnight deadline.

Trump’s Revised Plan Throws Congress Into Chaos: Quick Looks

Key Announcement: Trump declared “success” on a new government funding and debt ceiling plan.
Provisions: Extends funding for three months, adds $100.4 billion in disaster aid, and raises the debt ceiling through January 2027.
Political Fallout: Bipartisan support for the original deal collapses, with Democrats and Republicans divided.
Musk’s Influence: Elon Musk amplifies conservative opposition, adding to pressure on GOP lawmakers.
Urgent Deadline: Federal funding expires at midnight Friday, risking a shutdown if no deal is passed.

Deep Look

Trump Declares “Success” on New Deal Amid Shutdown Threat

In a dramatic turn of events, President-elect Donald Trump announced Thursday that he had worked with House Speaker Mike Johnson to craft a revised government funding and debt ceiling plan. The proposal, which Trump touted as a “success,” aims to keep the government running for three more months, provide disaster aid for hurricane-stricken states, and extend the debt ceiling through January 2027.

“SUCCESS in Washington! Speaker Mike Johnson and the House have come to a very good Deal,” Trump posted on social media Thursday morning, urging Congress to swiftly pass the package.

However, the inclusion of a debt ceiling increase—long a contentious issue—has thrown Congress into chaos. Bipartisan support for the initial agreement collapsed, leaving lawmakers deeply divided and uncertain about how to proceed.

Debt Ceiling Complicates Bipartisan Agreement

The last-minute addition of the debt ceiling increase has been particularly polarizing. The current borrowing limit expires in January 2025, and Trump’s new plan seeks to resolve the issue well into his presidency. While the change aligns with Trump’s desire to avoid early fights over the debt ceiling in his administration, it has alienated hardline conservatives and disrupted bipartisan negotiations.

Democrats, who had worked with Johnson on the original agreement, expressed outrage at Trump’s intervention. Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries called the debt ceiling provision “premature” and criticized Republicans for allowing Trump to derail a carefully negotiated compromise.

“Here we are once again in chaos,” said House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark. “This reckless Republican-driven shutdown can be avoided. Republicans should simply do what is right for the American people and stick with the bipartisan agreement that they themselves negotiated.”

Speaker Johnson Faces Mounting Pressure

For Speaker Mike Johnson, Trump’s demands have created a precarious situation. The freshman speaker has been working tirelessly to avert a government shutdown while navigating pressure from both Trump and his caucus.

Trump praised Johnson on social media, stating that the speaker would “easily remain” in his role if he acted decisively. However, Trump also warned of consequences for Republicans who failed to support the revised plan, threatening primary challenges against those who voted against the debt ceiling increase.

“Anybody that supports a bill that doesn’t take care of the Democrat quicksand known as the debt ceiling should be primaried and disposed of as quickly as possible,” Trump told Fox News Digital.

Elon Musk’s Influence on Conservative Backlash

Adding to the chaos is Elon Musk, who has leveraged his platform, X, to rally conservative opposition to the funding package. Musk amplified concerns among GOP lawmakers and their constituents, decrying the spending provisions and disaster aid as excessive.

Musk’s growing political influence has sparked speculation about his future in politics, with some Trump allies even suggesting he could replace Johnson as Speaker of the House. The role does not require congressional membership, making the idea technically possible, though highly improbable.

A Familiar Pattern of Disruption

Trump’s handling of the negotiations has drawn comparisons to previous government funding crises during his first term. In 2018, Trump led Republicans into the longest government shutdown in U.S. history during the Christmas season. In 2020, he derailed a bipartisan COVID-relief package, forcing Congress into a last-minute renegotiation.

This latest episode underscores Trump’s continued dominance over Republican politics and his willingness to challenge congressional norms to achieve his objectives.

Federal Funding and Disaster Aid at Stake

If Congress fails to pass a resolution by midnight Friday, federal funding will expire, forcing government offices to shutter and furloughing thousands of employees. The proposed package also includes $100.4 billion in disaster relief for states affected by Hurricanes Helen and Milton, as well as other natural disasters.

While some Republicans floated a scaled-back bill that focused solely on funding the government and providing disaster aid, Trump quickly dismissed the idea, insisting that the debt ceiling must be addressed immediately.

Next Steps and Uncertainty

The path forward remains unclear as Congress grapples with Trump’s demands and the ticking clock. Majority Leader Steve Scalise expressed cautious optimism Thursday, saying, “We’ve got to get this resolved, hopefully tomorrow.”

However, the divisions within the GOP and between parties leave the outcome uncertain. As lawmakers work through the night to find a solution, the potential for a shutdown looms large, underscoring the high stakes of the negotiations.