In a dramatic turn of events, a spending bill endorsed by former President Donald Trump failed in the U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday. The defeat leaves Congress scrambling to avert a looming government shutdown set to disrupt federal operations and holiday travel as funding expires at midnight on Friday.
The bill’s rejection, with a vote tally of 174-235, highlights sharp divisions within the Republican Party. A significant faction of GOP lawmakers defied Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson, signaling deeper fractures in party unity as Trump prepares to assume office once again in January.
Trump stuns with bold new look
What was at stake?
The failed legislation sought to extend government funding until March, allocate $100 billion for disaster relief, and suspend the national debt limit for two years. Trump and other high-profile conservatives, including Elon Musk, had pressured lawmakers to back the bill. However, fiscal hawks within the GOP criticized the proposal as reckless, citing its potential to balloon the federal debt.
“I am sickened by a party that campaigns on fiscal responsibility but pushes legislation like this,” said Representative Chip Roy, one of 38 Republicans who voted against the measure.
Democrats also opposed the bill, calling it a guise for tax cuts benefiting the wealthy while adding trillions to the national debt. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries lambasted the proposal as a betrayal of fiscal responsibility.
Implications of a shutdown
If no alternative solution is reached, a partial government shutdown could begin, disrupting operations from national parks to border enforcement. Over 2 million federal workers risk missing paychecks, and holiday travelers may face chaos at airports due to limited TSA staffing.
Speaker Mike Johnson remained vague on next steps, telling reporters, “We will come up with another solution.” However, confidence in his leadership has waned, with some Republicans suggesting they may oppose his speakership in January.
Political and economic fallout
The failed vote underscores the challenges Trump’s administration may face in aligning with a fractured Congress. While Trump aims to implement sweeping tax cuts during his upcoming term, the discord among Republicans suggests potential hurdles ahead.
With the holiday season at risk of disruption and financial markets watching closely, the pressure is on lawmakers to navigate the impasse. Whether they can unite in time to prevent a shutdown remains uncertain, but the cracks in GOP unity are clearer than ever.