Updated Story: Senate Approves Plan to Avoid Govt Shutdown

3 hours ago

1265 posts

Updated Story: Senate Approves Plan to Avoid Govt Shutdown \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Congress approved a stopgap funding measure late Friday to prevent a government shutdown, keeping federal operations running through March 14. Despite pressure from President-elect Trump for a debt ceiling increase, the bill omits his demand, focusing instead on disaster relief and agricultural aid. The passage marks a temporary victory for House Speaker Mike Johnson but underscores the challenges ahead for GOP unity and fiscal negotiations in 2024.

Government Shutdown Avoided: Quick Looks

Last-Minute Votes: Senate overcame procedural hurdles to pass the bill before the midnight deadline.
Bipartisan Support: House approved the bill with a 366-34 vote, with Democrats contributing heavily.
Trump’s Push: President-elect Trump demanded a debt ceiling increase but was ultimately sidelined.
Funding Package: Provides $100 billion for disaster relief and $10 billion for farmers, lasting through March 14.
Republican Divisions: Nearly three dozen conservative Republicans voted against the measure.
Democratic Critique: Democrats accused Republicans of chaotic governance influenced by figures like Elon Musk.
Future Debt Ceiling Fight: GOP plans to address the debt ceiling alongside major spending cuts in 2024.
Speaker Johnson’s Challenge: Questions remain about Johnson’s ability to maintain his position and manage party tensions.

Deep Look

Congress narrowly avoided a government shutdown late Friday, passing a stopgap funding measure to keep federal operations running into early 2024. Both chambers worked against the clock, with the Senate voting just hours before the midnight deadline and the House overwhelmingly approving the bill earlier in the day.

The temporary solution, led by House Speaker Mike Johnson, funds federal agencies through March 14 and allocates $100 billion for disaster relief and $10 billion for agricultural assistance. However, the legislation notably excludes President-elect Donald Trump’s demand for a long-term debt ceiling increase, punting that contentious issue to the new year.

High Stakes and Political Drama

The legislation emerged after weeks of political tension and brinkmanship. Trump, set to return to the White House in January, had pressed Congress to raise the debt ceiling through 2029, warning that failure to do so could jeopardize his administration’s early momentum. “If there is going to be a shutdown of government, let it begin now,” Trump posted on social media Friday morning.

Speaker Johnson faced a near-impossible task, balancing demands from Trump and conservative deficit hawks while ensuring the government remained open. Johnson ultimately sidestepped Trump’s demands, knowing there wasn’t enough Republican support for a package that included a debt ceiling hike.

Despite the omission, Trump reportedly expressed satisfaction with the overall outcome. However, his last-minute interventions highlighted divisions within the GOP and the ongoing influence of Trump allies, including Elon Musk, who has taken an active role in Republican strategies.

A Bipartisan Effort with Democratic Support

Democrats played a crucial role in passing the stopgap measure. While some Republicans, particularly from the party’s far-right faction, voted against the bill, Democrats provided the votes needed to secure its passage.

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries took the opportunity to criticize Republicans, stating, “The House Democrats have successfully stopped extreme MAGA Republicans from shutting down the government, crashing the economy, and hurting working-class Americans.”

Rep. Rosa DeLauro, the ranking Democrat on the Appropriations Committee, voiced concern over Musk’s apparent involvement in GOP decision-making, questioning whether he or Trump was truly calling the shots.

Still, Democrats expressed frustration with Johnson’s decision to abandon an earlier bipartisan agreement. That deal, which included numerous bipartisan priorities, was scrapped after opposition from Trump and Musk forced Johnson to draft a slimmer proposal.

Future Battles Looming

While the stopgap measure prevents an immediate shutdown, it sets the stage for intense battles in 2024. The federal debt limit expires on January 1, and Republicans plan to tie any increase to major spending cuts, proposing $2.5 trillion in reductions over the next decade.

The GOP also has ambitious plans for tax reform and border security, further complicating negotiations. For Johnson, the stakes are high. As Speaker, he will need to navigate these challenges while facing potential threats to his leadership from within his party.

Some Trump allies have even floated the idea of Elon Musk as a potential Speaker candidate. Musk, who has been instrumental in shaping Republican strategy, reportedly discussed legislative priorities with Johnson ahead of Friday’s vote.

President Biden’s Response

President Joe Biden has largely stayed out of the spotlight during these negotiations, focusing on coordinating with Democratic leaders in Congress. However, the White House did not shy away from criticizing Republicans for the near-shutdown.

“Republicans blew up this deal. They did, and they need to fix this,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said.

Biden is expected to sign the stopgap measure into law promptly, avoiding disruptions to federal operations. Still, the administration is bracing for tough negotiations with a Republican-controlled Congress in the months ahead.

What’s in the Bill?

The 118-page package is a drastically slimmed-down version of an earlier bipartisan agreement and includes the following key provisions:

Funding Duration: Keeps federal operations running at current levels through March 14.
Disaster Relief: Allocates $100 billion for disaster aid to address hurricanes, wildfires, and other emergencies.
Agricultural Assistance: Provides $10 billion in aid for farmers affected by natural disasters.
Debt Ceiling Exclusion: Does not include Trump’s demand for a long-term debt ceiling hike.

The Road Ahead

The passage of the stopgap measure offers temporary relief but leaves unresolved questions about the future of government funding and fiscal policy. With the debt ceiling debate looming and Republicans preparing for an ambitious legislative agenda, the next few months are likely to be marked by intense negotiations and political maneuvering.

Speaker Johnson, in particular, will face heightened scrutiny as he seeks to maintain his position and lead his party through what promises to be a turbulent start to 2024.