Trump government shutdown/ Speaker Mike Johnson budget crisis/ bipartisan spending deal collapse/ federal shutdown preparations/ disaster relief funding stalled/ WASHINGTON/ Newslooks/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ With a government shutdown looming, House Speaker Mike Johnson faces intense pressure to address President-elect Donald Trump’s demands for a new spending plan that includes a debt ceiling increase. This last-minute pivot puts bipartisan agreements at risk and leaves Congress scrambling ahead of Friday’s midnight deadline.
Government Shutdown Looms Amid Trump’s Demands: Quick Looks
- Trump’s Intervention: President-elect Trump demands new spending terms, including a debt ceiling hike.
- Speaker Johnson’s Dilemma: Johnson works late to appease Trump while preserving bipartisan deals.
- Musk’s Influence: Elon Musk amplifies conservative opposition to the spending bill via social media.
- Shutdown Countdown: Federal offices prepare to shutter as Congress scrambles for a solution.
- Democratic Pushback: Democrats insist on honoring the original bipartisan agreement.
Trump’s Demands Threaten Govt Shutdown, Speaker Johnson Struggles
Deep Look
With the federal government on the brink of a shutdown, House Speaker Mike Johnson is under mounting pressure to address President-elect Donald Trump’s abrupt demands for a revamped spending package. Trump’s call to include a debt ceiling increase just days before Friday’s funding deadline has thrown Congress into chaos, threatening bipartisan efforts to keep the government running.
Trump’s Bold Demands
Early Thursday, Trump urged Johnson to act “decisively and tough,” tying Johnson’s future as Speaker to his ability to deliver on Trump’s demands. Trump also warned Republican lawmakers to oppose any bill that fails to address the debt ceiling, saying those who support such legislation “should be primaried and disposed of.”
The president-elect’s push for a debt ceiling increase, a highly contentious issue that typically takes months to negotiate, complicates matters for Johnson. The current debt ceiling expires in 2025, but Trump insists on addressing it now to eliminate future hurdles for his administration.
Speaker Johnson in a Bind
Johnson, already facing internal GOP challenges ahead of a January vote to secure his speakership, worked through the night with Majority Leader Steve Scalise and Vice President-elect JD Vance to explore solutions. However, Trump’s demands have strained the fragile bipartisan agreement that Johnson initially brokered to avert a shutdown.
Adding to the tension, Musk, a prominent Trump ally and the world’s richest man, used his platform, X (formerly Twitter), to rally conservatives against the spending bill. Musk even suggested halting all legislative activity until Trump’s inauguration.
Democratic Frustration and Economic Risks
House Democrats, blindsided by Trump’s last-minute intervention, expressed outrage over the collapse of the bipartisan deal.
Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., criticized Trump and Musk, stating, “They live in an alternative universe, so none of this affects them. But it affects the people I represent. And I’m pissed we’re in this situation right now.”
Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., accused Musk of undermining Johnson, saying, “Elon Musk has pulled the rug out from underneath Mike Johnson.”
The White House’s Office of Management and Budget has already instructed federal agencies to begin shutdown preparations, highlighting the economic toll of a potential government closure. Federal employees face furloughs and missed paychecks, while disaster-stricken regions await vital aid.
The Role of Disaster Aid
The original bipartisan agreement included $100.4 billion in disaster relief for states devastated by Hurricanes Helen and Milton, among other natural disasters. While some Republicans floated the idea of a scaled-back funding bill focused solely on disaster aid, Trump rejected that plan as well.
What’s at Stake?
The chaotic negotiations echo past government shutdowns under Trump, including the longest shutdown in U.S. history during the 2018 holiday season. For Johnson, balancing Trump’s demands with his own party’s internal divisions could determine his political future and the immediate stability of the federal government.
Despite the turmoil, Scalise remained optimistic, stating, “We’re going to get it resolved, hopefully tomorrow.”
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