House Approve Spending Bill Without Trump Debt Ceiling Demand

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House Approve Spending Bill Without Trump Debt Ceiling Demand \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ With hours to spare before a government shutdown, the House passed Speaker Mike Johnson’s temporary funding bill, excluding President-elect Donald Trump’s debt ceiling demand. The bipartisan plan now heads to the Senate for approval, but divisions within the GOP remain stark. Trump’s influence continues to shape Republican strategies heading into the new year.

House Votes to Avoid Shutdown: Quick Looks

Bill Details: Includes temporary funding through March, $100 billion in disaster aid, and $10 billion for farmers.
Trump’s Demand: A long-term debt ceiling increase was excluded despite Trump’s insistence.
Bipartisan Effort: Passed 366-34, largely due to Democratic support.
Senate Next: Senate leaders aim to fast-track approval before the midnight deadline.
Republican Fractures: Johnson faces criticism from far-right members and Trump allies for concessions.

Deep Look

With mere hours left before a government shutdown, the House narrowly avoided a crisis by passing a temporary funding bill late Friday. Spearheaded by Speaker Mike Johnson, the 118-page plan funds federal operations through March while allocating $100 billion for disaster relief and $10 billion in agricultural aid. However, it notably excludes President-elect Donald Trump’s demand for a debt ceiling extension, a point of contention that has divided Republicans.

Trump’s Debt Ceiling Demand Sparks Tensions

President-elect Trump’s insistence on a long-term debt ceiling increase became a central issue during negotiations. Trump, who faces the expiration of the federal debt limit on January 1, pushed for a five-year extension to avoid contentious negotiations during the start of his administration. “If there is going to be a shutdown of government, let it begin now,” Trump posted on social media Friday morning.

Despite this pressure, Johnson excluded the debt ceiling from the final bill, acknowledging that such a demand lacked sufficient support within the GOP. Far-right Republicans and fiscal conservatives balked at Trump’s proposal, while Democrats refused to entertain the measure. Trump’s demands had already sunk a previous iteration of the bill Thursday night, resulting in a 174-235 defeat.

Johnson’s compromise angered Trump allies, including Elon Musk, who accused the speaker of caving to Democratic interests. Musk, a billionaire and Trump’s pick to lead the Department of Government Efficiency, criticized the bill in over 100 posts on X, his social media platform.

GOP Infighting and Democratic Support

The bill’s passage highlighted deep divisions within the Republican Party. Far-right members of the House Freedom Caucus, including Reps. Chip Roy and Bob Good, criticized Johnson for working with Democrats to secure votes. Johnson relied heavily on Democratic support, with more Democrats than Republicans voting in favor of the plan.

“House Democrats have successfully stopped extreme MAGA Republicans from shutting down the government,” said House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. He framed the vote as a victory for working Americans and a rejection of Trump’s economic agenda.

Senate’s Role and Swift Action

The bill now heads to the Senate, where it must pass before midnight to avert a shutdown. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer expressed optimism, saying, “The House has overwhelmingly passed a bill to keep the government open, and I’m confident the Senate will pass it as well.”

Senators are expected to expedite the typically lengthy legislative process, with many eager to leave Washington for the holidays. However, the tight timeline leaves little room for delays or objections. If approved, the bill will head to President Joe Biden’s desk for his signature.

Federal Workers Face Uncertainty

The looming shutdown has cast a shadow over the holiday season for federal employees, who risk furloughs or delayed paychecks. Johnny Zuagar, a U.S. Census Bureau statistician, expressed concern about how a potential shutdown might affect his family. “I’ve got to keep a poker face,” he said, describing efforts to shield his children from financial worries during the holidays.

The uncertainty has left thousands of government workers in limbo, awaiting news of a resolution. Biden’s administration has pointed fingers at Republicans for the impasse, with White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stating, “Republicans blew up this deal. They did, and they need to fix this.”

Mike Johnson’s Leadership Tested

Johnson’s leadership is facing increasing scrutiny, as GOP divisions have fueled doubts about his ability to unify the party. Critics from within the Republican ranks, including Rep. Thomas Massie, have openly questioned whether Johnson should remain as speaker.

“He comes up with ideas that don’t work, and then we just kind of wander around trying to find a path forward,” Massie said, vowing to vote against Johnson in the upcoming speaker election on January 3.

Adding to Johnson’s challenges is the vocal opposition of Trump allies like Steve Bannon, who declared Johnson “not up to the task” during a Turning Point USA event. Bannon’s remarks underscored growing dissatisfaction among the MAGA wing of the GOP, with calls for stronger leadership to execute Trump’s vision.

The Road Ahead

While the bill’s passage averts an immediate crisis, it is only a temporary solution. The government will face another funding deadline in three months, with contentious debates over the debt ceiling and spending cuts likely to resurface.

For Johnson, the next few weeks will be critical in solidifying his role as speaker and navigating the GOP’s competing factions. Trump’s influence looms large, and his demands for fiscal policy changes will continue to test the party’s unity.