House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) speaks to the media, following a meeting with fellow Republicans on the day where a potential government shutdown looms during the holidays, after a spending bill backed by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump failed in the U.S. House of Representatives, on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., December 20, 2024. REUTERS/Nathan Howard
U.S. House Schedules Vote to Prevent Government Shutdown Amid Partisan Tensions
Republican leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives have scheduled a Friday evening vote to extend federal government funding and avert a partial shutdown that could disrupt the Christmas holiday season. The vote comes less than seven hours before the current funding deadline at midnight (0500 GMT Saturday).
House Speaker Mike Johnson expressed confidence that a shutdown would be avoided, stating, “We will not have a government shutdown.” However, it remains uncertain whether the proposed legislation will garner sufficient support from House Democrats, whose votes may be essential for passage.
Proposed Legislation
The proposed package would:
- Extend government funding through March 14.
- Provide aid to farmers and disaster-affected states.
- Exclude measures to raise the debt ceiling, a demand made by President-elect Donald Trump.
The bill would also require approval by the Democratic-majority Senate and President Joe Biden’s signature before the midnight deadline to prevent disruptions.
Without action, funding for federal agencies would lapse, impacting services such as law enforcement, national parks, and air travel. A prolonged shutdown could leave millions of federal workers unpaid and cost the travel industry approximately $1 billion per week during the busy holiday season.
Trump’s Demands and Legislative Adjustments
Earlier in the week, a bipartisan proposal to maintain current funding levels and provide additional disaster and farm aid was derailed following online criticism from Trump and his adviser Elon Musk. Both claimed the bill included excessive unrelated provisions.
Trump called for the bill to include a debt ceiling increase, which was decisively rejected by the House on Thursday, with 38 Republicans joining Democrats in opposition. The current Republican plan excludes contentious provisions such as:
- A pay increase for lawmakers.
- Restrictions on investments in China.
- New regulations for pharmacy benefit managers.
Partisan Dynamics and Uncertainty
With Republicans holding a slim 219-214 majority in the House, bipartisan support may be necessary for the bill’s passage, as internal GOP divisions often lead to dissent on spending measures.
Representative Ami Bera, a Democrat, suggested that his party might support the latest proposal, barring unexpected developments. However, Democrats previously criticized Republicans for yielding to Musk’s budget-cutting influence, which they argued undermines prior bipartisan agreements.
Preparations for a Shutdown
The White House has reportedly instructed federal agencies to prepare for a possible shutdown. If funding lapses, it would mark the first government shutdown since the 35-day closure during Trump’s presidency in a dispute over border security.
Trump has escalated his rhetoric, stating on social media, “If there is going to be a shutdown of government, let it begin now, under the Biden Administration, not after January 20th, under ‘TRUMP.’”
Broader Fiscal Implications
The looming shutdown reflects larger fiscal challenges, with the federal government spending approximately $6.2 trillion last year and carrying over $36 trillion in debt. While the debt ceiling has been suspended until January 1 under a prior agreement, Congress must address borrowing limits by mid-2024 to prevent a U.S. government default, which could trigger global economic repercussions.
As lawmakers scramble to avert a shutdown, the delicate balance between bipartisan cooperation and partisan pressures remains a central challenge in resolving this latest fiscal standoff.
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