Government Shutdown Looms as Republican Divisions Erupt Over Spending Bill
WASHINGTON — Efforts to avert a partial government shutdown this weekend collapsed Wednesday amid growing Republican dissent over a short-term funding package. Numerous Republicans, both in Congress and outside, voiced frustration with the bill’s numerous extraneous provisions.
Adding to the turmoil, Vice President-elect J.D. Vance took to social media, stating that he and President-elect Donald Trump believe Republicans should use the remaining two days before the shutdown deadline to pressure Democrats into raising or suspending the debt ceiling. This unexpected demand complicates the already precarious situation.
The comprehensive year-end spending bill, released Tuesday, would fund the government until March 14th, extend agricultural programs in the farm bill until September 30th, and allocate tens of billions in disaster relief. However, several provisions within the 1,547-page package angered far-right Republicans and Trump allies. They contend that these unrelated provisions should be removed, derailing weeks of negotiations between the Republican-controlled House and the Democratic Senate.
Failure to pass a short-term spending bill by Friday midnight will trigger a government shutdown, impacting every federal department and agency. Exempt federal employees would work without pay, while non-exempt employees would be furloughed. Unlike the 35-day shutdown during Trump’s first term, this one would affect a broader swathe of the federal government. In 2018-2019, pre-approved appropriations for several departments (Defense, Education, Energy, Health and Human Services, Labor, and Veterans Affairs) and the Legislative Branch mitigated the impact. This time, however, a shutdown would leave U.S. troops unpaid and disrupt numerous national security agencies, including Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Disaster relief efforts for communities impacted by hurricanes Helene and Milton would also be severely hampered, affecting FEMA, the Department of Agriculture, the Small Business Administration, and their beneficiaries.
The debt ceiling unexpectedly entered the negotiations on Wednesday when Vance advocated for its inclusion in any stopgap spending bill. While the current suspension expires January 1st, the Treasury Department has several months to utilize “extraordinary measures” before a default. However, Vance opposes addressing the debt ceiling next year, writing on social media: “The most foolish and inept thing ever done by Congressional Republicans was allowing our country to hit the debt ceiling in 2025… It was a mistake and is now something that must be addressed.” He added that resolving the debt ceiling “is not great but we’d rather do it on Biden’s watch,” suggesting a strategic move to force a Democratic solution.
Further escalating the situation, Elon Musk, tasked by Trump with improving government efficiency, urged a halt to all legislation until after Trump’s inauguration on January 20th. This would significantly impact numerous government programs, including those within the farm bill. Musk tweeted: “Any member of the House or Senate who votes for this outrageous spending bill deserves to be voted out in 2 years!”
Meanwhile, Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) publicly pushed for the inclusion of disaster aid in any short-term spending bill, citing the urgent needs of their states.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre issued a statement criticizing Republicans for playing politics and threatening to harm Americans by triggering a shutdown. She accused President-elect Trump and Vice President-elect Vance of ordering the shutdown, emphasizing the negative consequences for disaster recovery efforts, farmers, ranchers, and vital services.
Last updated 6:55 p.m., Dec. 18, 2024
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