The U.S. Congress has a mere two days to avoid a partial government shutdown, following President-elect Donald Trump’s rejection of a bipartisan deal on Wednesday. Trump has demanded lawmakers not only pass a funding extension but also address the nation’s debt ceiling before he assumes office next month.
Trump urged his Republican colleagues to oppose a stopgap bill that would extend government funding past the deadline of midnight on Friday. Without congressional action, a partial shutdown is set to commence on Saturday, affecting key services such as air travel and law enforcement during the crucial days leading up to Christmas.
The proposed bipartisan agreement, negotiated on Tuesday, aimed to maintain funding through March 14. However, Trump warned Republicans of political repercussions if they supported the deal. “Any Republican that would be so stupid as to do this should, and will, be Primaried,” Trump stated on his Truth Social platform, referencing the possibility of intra-party challenges during primary elections.
If a shutdown occurs, it will be the first since the 2018-2019 closure, which also took place during Trump’s presidency.
Trump has called for Congress to pass legislation addressing multiple issues, including raising the government’s borrowing limit, a contentious matter, and enacting temporary funding measures. Additionally, he insisted on removing certain provisions in the current deal supported by Democrats, whose cooperation is essential for the bill’s passage.
Trump’s ally, Elon Musk, further complicated negotiations by urging Congress to reject the bill. Musk, who has been enlisted by Trump to scrutinize federal spending, argued that lawmakers supporting the measure should face electoral consequences.
Late-Night Negotiations Continue
Top Republican leaders, including Vice President-elect JD Vance and House Speaker Mike Johnson, met late Wednesday to discuss the looming crisis. Following the meeting, Johnson described the discussions as a “productive conversation” but declined to provide specifics.
House Republican leader Steve Scalise was noncommittal when asked whether raising the debt ceiling would be part of the final agreement, saying, “We’re not there yet.” Similarly, House Appropriations Committee Chair Tom Cole expressed uncertainty, stating, “I’m not confident of anything.”
Unclear Path Forward
The path to resolving the crisis remains uncertain. Any spending bill will require bipartisan support to pass through the House, where Republicans hold a slim 219-211 majority, and the Senate, where Democrats maintain a narrow edge.
President Joe Biden’s White House, which remains in power until Trump’s inauguration on January 20, criticized Republican tactics, stating that “Republicans need to stop playing politics” and warning that a shutdown would be detrimental to the country.
The current stopgap measure seeks to fund federal agencies at existing levels while allocating $100 billion for disaster relief and $10 billion for farm aid. It also includes unrelated items such as a pay raise for lawmakers and new rules targeting hidden hotel fees.
Trump has opposed these additional provisions, arguing that the bill should focus solely on temporary funding, disaster relief, and raising the debt ceiling. He emphasized the urgency of addressing the debt ceiling now to avoid a fiscal showdown next year.
The stopgap bill has become necessary because Congress has failed to approve standard spending legislation for the fiscal year, which began on October 1. Essential programs like Social Security are unaffected, as they operate independently of annual appropriations.
Mounting Debt and Economic Risks
For more than two decades, the U.S. government has spent beyond its revenues, driven by Democratic expansions of healthcare programs and Republican tax cuts. The national debt now stands at $36 trillion, necessitating an eventual increase in the debt ceiling.
Lawmakers face a choice: raise the borrowing limit now or when the government reaches its borrowing capacity next year. Failure to act could lead to severe economic repercussions. As discussions drag on, the stakes for Congress, the incoming administration, and the nation remain high.