Government shutdown/ Trump spending bill rejected/ Mike Johnson budget plan/ Congress deadlock/ Musk political influence/ Newslooks/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The House rejected President-elect Donald Trump’s proposed spending plan Thursday, leaving the government on the brink of a shutdown. Speaker Mike Johnson vowed to find a solution before Friday’s midnight deadline, but tensions remain high as Democrats and many Republicans oppose Trump’s demands.
Budget Stalemate Threatens Shutdown: Quick Looks
- Rejected Spending Plan: The House voted 174-235 against Trump’s revised funding and debt ceiling proposal.
- Speaker’s Struggle: Speaker Mike Johnson faces opposition within his party and pressure from Trump to deliver a deal.
- Democratic Stance: Democrats dismissed Trump’s plan as “laughable” and remain committed to an earlier bipartisan compromise.
- Chaos in Congress: Heated debates erupted, with both parties blaming each other for the looming crisis.
- Next Steps Uncertain: Federal agencies brace for shutdown as lawmakers scramble for a resolution.
Congress in Chaos as Budget Talks Collapse Again
Deep Look
WASHINGTON — With a government shutdown mere hours away, the House on Thursday decisively rejected President-elect Donald Trump’s new budget proposal, intensifying political turmoil and leaving millions of Americans facing uncertainty.
The House voted 174-235 against the plan, which aimed to fund the government through March 14 while also suspending the debt ceiling until 2027. The failure to pass the bill has created chaos in Congress and set the stage for what could become a significant disruption in government services.
Trump’s Plan Falters
Trump’s revised budget proposal included $100.4 billion in disaster aid and reduced several contentious provisions from a previous bipartisan deal. Despite the changes, the plan faced fierce opposition from both Democrats and a substantial number of Republicans.
“Speaker Mike Johnson and the House have come to a very good deal,” Trump posted earlier Thursday on his social media platform, X. Yet, his confidence did little to sway lawmakers.
Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries dismissed the plan as unserious, calling it “laughable.” Meanwhile, inside a closed-door meeting, Democrats chanted “Hell, no!” as they reiterated their support for an earlier bipartisan agreement.
Republican Division
Johnson, navigating demands from Trump and his allies, now finds himself politically weakened. The House speaker has just weeks before a January 3 vote to secure his position for the next Congress.
The proposal’s failure exposed fractures within the GOP. Rep. Kat Cammack, R-Fla., acknowledged the difficulty of the vote for conservatives.
“This was not an easy vote for constitutional conservatives,” she said.
Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, one of the bill’s Republican detractors, accused his colleagues of abandoning fiscal responsibility. “It’s shameful!” he said, directing his ire at GOP lawmakers who supported the plan.
Musk’s Influence
The drama underscored Elon Musk’s growing political clout. The billionaire entrepreneur rallied his vast social media following to oppose the earlier bipartisan compromise, amplifying public pressure on lawmakers.
Musk’s involvement drew sharp criticism from Democrats.
“Here we are once again in chaos,” said House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark. “And what for? Because Elon Musk, an unelected man, said, ‘We’re not doing this deal, and Donald Trump followed along.’”
Immediate Fallout
Vice President Kamala Harris canceled a planned trip to Los Angeles to remain in Washington as the crisis unfolds. Federal agencies have already begun preparing for a shutdown, with contingency plans activated last week by the White House’s Office of Management and Budget.
Adding to the drama, Johnson’s revised bill cut out several bipartisan provisions, including a proposed 3.8% pay raise for lawmakers. The measure drew criticism not only for what it included but also for what it excluded, such as funds for a Washington Commanders stadium project.
Future Uncertain
“We’ll see,” Johnson said when asked about the path forward after the bill’s defeat. His next steps remain unclear, though some lawmakers have floated the possibility of a short-term funding extension.
The stakes are high. A government shutdown would disrupt essential services, delay federal paychecks, and potentially impact economic growth. The longer the impasse lasts, the greater the consequences for millions of Americans.
Key Takeaways
- Political Chaos: Congress remains deeply divided, with Trump and Musk stirring the pot.
- Democratic Resistance: Democrats insist on sticking to the original bipartisan agreement.
- Speaker Under Pressure: Johnson faces a leadership crisis as he struggles to unite his party.
- Shutdown Looms: Federal offices brace for closure as lawmakers race against the clock.
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