Congress Scrambles for Plan B After Collapse of Funding Deal as Shutdown Deadline Nears

President-elect Donald Trump got here out in opposition to the short-term funding deal and issued new calls for.

WASHINGTON—With authorities funding set to run out at midnight (ET) on Dec. 20, Congress is scrambling to avert a shutdown after President-elect Donald Trump expressed opposition to Home Speaker Mike Johnson’s (R-La.) $100 billion funding extension, successfully dooming the invoice’s prospects.

The persevering with decision (CR), put forth after intensive negotiations between Johnson and the members of the Democratic Social gathering, included $100 billion in catastrophe aid, a one-year extension of the farm invoice, environmental measures, veterans’ provisions, and different laws.

“Republicans should GET SMART and TOUGH. If Democrats threaten to close down the federal government until we give them every little thing they need, then CALL THEIR BLUFF. It’s [Senate Majority Leader Chuck] Schumer and Biden who’re holding up assist to our farmers and catastrophe aid,” Trump wrote in a Dec. 19 publish on Fact Social.

Trump advised that lawmakers pursue a deal to boost the debt ceiling that will in any other case be left for the early months of his administration.

The debt ceiling, which represents the borrowing restrict of america, is anticipated to be reached early subsequent yr. A 2023 settlement between former Home Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and President Joe Biden suspended the debt ceiling till Jan. 2, 2025. Nevertheless, this date doesn’t essentially mark when the debt restrict can be reached, because the Treasury Division can make use of measures to increase the deadline.

The 2023 settlement strengthened work necessities for the Supplemental Diet Help Program along with chopping IRS funding, discretionary spending, and unspent COVID-19 {dollars}.

“Growing the debt ceiling will not be nice however we’d slightly do it on Biden’s watch,” Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance wrote in a Dec. 18 joint assertion posted to Fact Social. “Republicans need to assist our farmers, pay for catastrophe aid, and set our nation up for fulfillment in 2025. The one method to do this is with a brief funding invoice WITHOUT DEMOCRAT GIVEAWAYS mixed with a rise within the debt ceiling. Anything is a betrayal of our nation.”

The following steps to keep away from a shutdown stay unclear, notably after Home Minority Chief Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) rejected any motion on the debt ceiling.

“Arduous cross,” Jeffries wrote in a Dec. 19 publish on the social media platform Bluesky.

Jeffries criticized Trump for inserting himself into the spending combat. He mentioned that Home Republicans walked away from a bipartisan settlement.

“Home Republicans have been ordered to close down the federal government and damage on a regular basis Individuals all throughout this nation,” he instructed reporters. “Home Republicans will now personal any hurt that’s visited upon the American people who outcomes from a authorities shutdown or worse. An settlement is an settlement.”

The White Home additionally got here out in opposition to Home Republicans who opposed the CR.

“Triggering a dangerous authorities shutdown would damage households who’re gathering to fulfill with their family members and endanger the fundamental companies Individuals from veterans to Social Safety recipients depend on,” White Home press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre mentioned in a Dec. 18 assertion. “A deal is a deal. Republicans ought to preserve their phrase.”

With authorities funding in limbo, Johnson has the choice to suggest a measure to both fund the federal government at present ranges till early subsequent yr or cross a CR alongside a rise within the debt restrict. Alternatively, a possible authorities shutdown might proceed till Trump takes workplace.

Jeffries has mentioned that Home Democrats will oppose a clear CR.

Any invoice handed by the Home would additionally should be accredited by the Senate earlier than reaching Biden’s desk for his signature.

The Senate must tee up two procedural votes, one to finish cloture and one other to maneuver on to a last vote, earlier than voting on the invoice itself. The vote to finish cloture requires 60 votes with a view to finish or keep away from a filibuster.

The higher congressional chamber can bypass the common course of by way of a time settlement, which entails votes on amendments—sometimes unsuccessful—with a view to expeditiously attain a last vote.

One other solution to expedite the method can be by way of what known as unanimous consent, the place no senator objects to the invoice. This gained’t occur as GOP senators have already opposed the CR.