House rejects Trump-backed budget, shutdown looms
The House of Representatives voted Thursday evening against a budget stopgap proposal supported by Donald Trump. If Congress does not pass a new provisional budget, a so-called shutdown will begin on Saturday, closing most federal institutions.
Donald Trump surprised lawmakers in Washington by calling for the suspension or complete abolition of the federal debt limit, as reported by The Washington Post. He demanded last-minute negotiations to avoid a government shutdown this weekend. He urged Republicans in Congress to eliminate the debt ceiling, which limits the amount the federal government can borrow. However, these appeals did not succeed, and the debt limit remained in place.
On Thursday, congressmen voted on the budget stopgap proposal. The proposal, which required a 2/3 majority in the House for expedited adoption, did not even gain the support of a simple majority. Almost all Democrats and 38 Republicans voted against it.
The stopgap, developed among Republicans and supported by President-elect Trump, proposed extending the current budget by three months, providing $110 billion in aid for hurricane-affected regions, subsidizing farmers, and suspending the debt limit for two years.
Risk of a shutdown
The proposal's failure significantly increases the risk of a shutdown, as the current budget expires on Friday. This "procedure" and political wrangling in Congress over the budget topic repeat each year.
Although the shutdown's effects will mostly not be felt until Monday since many federal institutions do not operate over the weekend, it may result in longer airport screenings during some of the busiest travel days before the holidays. Both parties have already begun blaming each other for the potential outcome.
Republican House Majority Leader Steve Scalise and House Speaker Mike Johnson announced that the party would hold further discussions on how to resolve the issue. It is unclear whether they will have enough time, as the measure needs to be voted on by both houses of Congress and signed by the President by midnight on Friday.
Trump and Musk threatened congressmen
Thursday's failure resulted from Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk opposing the previous budget stopgap proposal developed in a bipartisan compromise.
Many provisions unrelated to the bill were added to that legislation, including limitations on American investments in China, funds for research on medicines for childhood cancers, which triggered a storm of criticism aimed primarily at Trump advisor Musk, and a pay raise for congressmen.
Trump and Musk threatened all congressmen who were set to support the proposal, stating they would seek to have them removed from their positions.
