Government Shutdown Looms as Bipartisan Spending Deal Falters
The US Congress has failed to pass President-elect Donald Trump's spending plan, throwing the government into uncertainty and on the verge of a shutdown. The original proposal, crafted to fund operations and suspend the debt ceiling, was met with strong opposition from Democrats and a significant number of Republicans, leaving the chamber seeking an alternative solution.
The initial plan faced intense scrutiny, with some lawmakers calling it "sickening." Speaker Mike Johnson vowed to find a new path forward, encouraging Americans to "stay tuned." However, the proposal's fate was all but sealed when President-elect Trump, who had temporarily backed Speaker Johnson's efforts, suddenly expressed his dissatisfaction with a 3-month spending bill, citing excessive Democrat support and expenditure.
The unexpected reversal sparked a flurry of reactions, with even Elon Musk, with whom Trump had jointly critiqued the bill, expressing surprise at the sudden change of heart. Despite potentially catastrophic implications, the optimism generated by the initial compromise was short-lived. A revised deal, this one forged by House Republicans, has emerged, which aims to extend current funding levels for three months and suspend the debt limit for two years. President Trump has publicly endorsed the plan, urging unity among both parties to support it.
This new proposal includes $110 billion in disaster relief and certain healthcare provisions, but notably falls short of reforms to the Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) system. The latter omission has drawn criticism from certain stakeholders. The national debt now surpasses $36 trillion, with a recent deficit exceeding $1 trillion, but some Republicans and Democrats, such as Rep. Chip Roy of Texas and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York, have voiced their reservations about the revised deal.
The lack of consensus remains a pressing concern, and the voting process, initially slated for Thursday evening, may yet be delayed or derailed. Amidst the uncertainty, President Trump's decision to walk back his support has essentially foiled efforts to avoid a shutdown, at least for the time being. This unexpected turn of events now presents Speaker Johnson with the challenge of mustering support for an alternative solution, underscoring the arduous nature of forging bipartisan consensus in the US Congress.