Facing an imminent government shutdown, the Senate worked late into Friday to approve a plan to temporarily fund federal operations and disaster aid, but notably omitted President-elect Donald Trump’s demands for a debt limit increase. House Speaker Mike Johnson vowed to keep the government open but faced an uncertain outcome after Trump, in a social media post, called for shutdowns if his conditions weren’t met.
The House overwhelmingly passed Johnson’s plan, and the Senate, led by Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, expedited procedures to meet the midnight deadline. Johnson declared the outcome a win, stating Trump was satisfied with the results.
This funding bill marked Johnson’s third attempt to fulfill the essential task of keeping the government running, exposing challenges to his leadership amid pressures from Trump and GOP colleagues. The bill’s passage came despite resistance from conservative Republicans and amid speculation about Johnson’s future as Speaker.
Trump’s insistence on a debt ceiling increase was set aside, as Johnson realized GOP support alone wouldn’t suffice to pass any funding package. Instead, Republicans relied on Democrats to ensure government operations continued, showcasing the need for bipartisan collaboration despite GOP control of Congress and the presidency next year.
Senate Passes Temporary Funding Bill Amid Shutdown Threat, Sidestepping Trump’s Debt Ceiling Demands
The new funding package, stripped of Trump’s debt ceiling demand, extends current government funding until March 14 and includes $100 billion in disaster aid and $10 billion for farmers. The compromise emerged after earlier failures to secure broader agreements, including a 1,500-page bipartisan bill that Trump and Elon Musk, a key ally, rejected.
While Democrats contributed significantly to the bill’s passage, they criticized Johnson for abandoning prior compromises and questioned Musk’s influence over GOP decisions. Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries hailed the outcome as a victory against extremist Republican factions seeking to disrupt government operations.
Trump’s intervention demonstrated his influence and its limits as he orchestrated negotiations from Mar-a-Lago alongside Musk, the newly appointed head of the Department of Government Efficiency. Trump emphasized his desire to push the debt ceiling debate off the agenda before his administration begins, aiming to avoid contentious negotiations in early 2024.
While Johnson managed to sidestep Trump’s demands for now, the Speaker is expected to revisit the debt ceiling issue in the new year, with Republicans planning significant spending cuts and tax reforms under Trump’s leadership.
The specter of a government shutdown highlighted the high stakes for Johnson and his party, as millions of federal employees faced uncertainty during the holiday season. With House Democrats accusing Republicans of derailing earlier agreements, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell urged colleagues to avoid a shutdown.
Johnson, aware of the risks to both government operations and his Speakership, navigated intense pressure from Trump’s allies, some of whom floated Musk as a potential Speaker. In a conversation with Musk, Johnson reflected on the immense challenges of his role, underscoring the precarious position he occupies amid competing demands from his party and the incoming administration.
