Just before the midnight deadline, the House passed a funding bill to keep the government running until March 14. After a week of tense negotiations, Speaker Mike Johnson pushed the bill through, avoiding a shutdown that would have left federal workers furloughed and disrupted critical services like TSA during the holiday season.
The bill, which passed 366-34, included disaster aid and a farm bill extension but notably excluded the debt ceiling increase demanded by President-elect Trump and his ally, Elon Musk. Their late intervention derailed an earlier bipartisan deal, forcing Johnson to start over, facing resistance from both parties.
This move exposed deep fractures within the GOP, as all opposition votes came from Republican members. Johnson’s decision to leave out the debt ceiling increase was a strategic but controversial concession, setting up a showdown in the months ahead as Trump and his supporters continue pressing the issue.
The urgency to pass the bill was clear, given the economic fallout of past shutdowns. The 35-day shutdown in 2018-2019 cost the U.S. economy $11 billion. While this short-term fix avoids immediate chaos, it’s a temporary Band-Aid over a growing wound of political division.
As the new administration steps in, the battle over the debt ceiling looms large. Conservatives must stay vigilant in these fights, ensuring fiscal responsibility while navigating intense pressure from all sides.
Sources:
https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2024/12/20/congress/third-spending-plan-attempt-00195611
https://www.newsweek.com/miek-johnson-spending-bill-save-act-1957780