The U.S. Congress faces a two-day deadline to avert a partial government shutdown after President-elect Donald Trump rejected a bipartisan funding deal and demanded lawmakers raise the debt ceiling before his inauguration next month. Trump urged Republicans to block a stopgap bill that would extend funding through March 14, warning they could face primary challenges.
Absent a deal, a government shutdown beginning Saturday could disrupt air travel, law enforcement, and other services ahead of Christmas. Trump proposed legislation to secure temporary spending, raise borrowing authority, and remove provisions backed by Democrats. This would mark the first shutdown since 2018-2019 during Trump’s first term.
Elon Musk, tasked by Trump to review the federal budget, also pressured lawmakers to oppose the bill. Late-night talks between Republican leaders, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, Vice President-elect JD Vance, and others, yielded no clear resolution. Johnson described the talks as “productive” but offered no details. House Appropriations Chair Tom Cole expressed uncertainty about avoiding a shutdown.
The White House criticized Republicans for “playing politics,” warning of the damaging consequences of a shutdown. The current bill includes $100 billion for disaster relief, $10 billion in farm aid, a pay raise for lawmakers, and other measures. Trump called for a focus on disaster relief and a debt ceiling increase, citing the nation’s mounting $36 trillion debt.
With a divided Congress—Republicans controlling the House and Democrats holding a narrow Senate majority—bipartisan support is essential to pass any bill. Failure to act on the debt ceiling or spending could lead to severe economic repercussions.
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