In a stunning setback for President Donald Trump, House Republicans failed to pass a spending bill on Thursday, leaving the government teetering on the brink of a shutdown just one day before the deadline. The defeat came after Trump and billionaire Elon Musk scuttled a previous bipartisan deal, throwing Washington into chaos.
President Musk’s Influence Grows
Democrats mocked the intervention by Musk, dubbing him “President Musk” after he torpedoed the original spending package via a volley of tweets on his newly acquired social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter. House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries slammed the “Musk-Johnson proposal” as “laughable.”
The Musk-Johnson proposal is not serious. It’s laughable. Extreme Maga Republicans are driving us to a government shutdown.
Hakeem Jeffries, House Democratic leader
Cracks Emerge in GOP Support
In a surprising turn, 38 Republicans joined nearly all Democrats in voting down the bill, which needed a two-thirds majority to pass. The defiance from within his own party was an early glimpse of the turmoil that could plague Trump’s second term.
- Suspends debt limit for 2 years, enabling Trump’s sweeping tax cuts
- Drops pay raises for Congress and new pharmacy benefit manager rules
- Extends government funding to March, when GOP will control both chambers
Blame Game Begins as Shutdown Looms
With the government set to run out of funding at midnight on Friday, both parties are pointing fingers over who bears responsibility for the impasse. A shutdown would disrupt federal services, close national parks, and potentially delay paychecks for over 2 million government workers.
Republicans are doing the bidding of their billionaire benefactors at the expense of hardworking Americans.
White House statement
Christmas Travel Chaos Feared
The failure to secure funding also threatens to wreak havoc on the busy holiday travel season. The Transportation Security Administration cautioned that travelers could face lengthy delays at airport security checkpoints if a shutdown occurs.
I am absolutely sickened by the party that campaigns on fiscal responsibility.
Congressman Chip Roy (R)
Tremors in Financial Markets
Uncertainty over the debt ceiling has rattled investors, who fear a government default could send shockwaves through global credit markets. While the US likely has until the spring to address the borrowing cap, Republicans have vowed to extract major spending cuts in exchange for raising the limit.
As Washington enters uncharted territory, political tensions show no sign of easing. The dysfunction left some yearning for normality in the Trump era before it has even begun. “Who is our leader Hakeem Jeffries supposed to negotiate with?” asked Democratic congressman Jamie Raskin. “Is it Mike Johnson? Is he the speaker of the House. Or is it Donald Trump? Or is it Elon Musk?”
