House Speaker Mike Johnson brokered a last-minute agreement with Democrat leaders late Friday.
The deal extends federal funding through March and allocates substantial disaster relief, but notably excludes President-elect Donald Trump’s demand for a debt ceiling increase, according to AP.
The 118-page package maintains current government funding levels and includes $100 billion for disaster aid and $10 billion in agricultural assistance. However, it omits provisions to raise the debt ceiling, a point of contention for Trump and his allies, including billionaire Elon Musk, who had advocated for a long-term suspension of the borrowing limit.
Trump reiterated his position on the debt ceiling, calling for its extension or abolition to avoid future partisan gridlocks.
On Thursday, Trump said, “A VERY important piece, VITAL to the America First Agenda, was added as well – The date of the very unnecessary Debt Ceiling will be pushed out two years, to January 30, 2027. Now we can Make America Great Again, very quickly, which is what the People gave us a mandate to accomplish.”
On Friday, Trump wrote, “Congress must get rid of, or extend out to, perhaps, 2029, the ridiculous Debt Ceiling. Without this, we should never make a deal. Remember, the pressure is on whoever is President.”
Johnson’s decision to proceed without the debt ceiling increase has incited criticism from conservative factions within his party.
They argue that the Speaker capitulated to Democrat demands, sidelining conservative priorities.
Musk questioned the bill’s partisan alignment, asking on social media, “So is this a Republican bill or a Democrat bill?”
The tweet was in response to Massie’s tweet.
Thomas Massie criticized Speaker Johnson for initially planning to split the spending bill into multiple pieces but ultimately caving to Democrats’ demands for an “all-in-one” bill.
“This was in fact correct when you tweeted it, but speaker Johnson flipped his decision after the meeting when he spoke to Hakeem Jeffries and realized he could get Democrat votes to pass all the legislation as one bill.”
This was in fact correct when you tweeted it, but speaker Johnson flipped his decision after the meeting when he spoke to Hakeem Jeffries and realized he could get Democrat votes to pass all the legislation as one bill.
— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) December 20, 2024
Earlier, Republican leaders are advancing a new strategy involving three separate bills.
This move comes after previous Schumer-Johnson and Trump-endorsed proposals failed to secure sufficient support.
According to FOX News host Harris Faulkner, Republicans are working on Plan C to avoid a government shutdown.
The proposed plan divides the spending package into three distinct components:
- Short-Term Federal Funding: A measure to extend funding for federal agencies for three months, maintaining government operations until March 14.
- Disaster Relief: Allocation of over $100 billion to support disaster-stricken areas, addressing immediate needs arising from recent natural calamities.
- Farm Aid: Provision of $10 billion in assistance to farmers, ensuring stability in the agricultural sector amid ongoing economic challenges.
The House approved the funding bill with a ‘bipartisan’ vote of 366-34, sending it to the Senate for swift passage.
More Democrats supported the new bill, with a vote count of 196 to 170.
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries claimed they “defeated” Elon Musk and President Trump with the government funding bill.
BREAKING: House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries says they ‘defeated’ Elon Musk and Donald Trump with the current spending bill – Punchbowl pic.twitter.com/ccM6zDf2Ph
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) December 20, 2024
However, Elon Musk praised Johnson for the new bill, calling it an improvement over the bloated 1,500-page legislation.
“The Speaker did a good job here, given the circumstances. It went from a bill that weighed pounds to a bill that weighed ounces. Ball should now be in the Dem court.”
The Speaker did a good job here, given the circumstances.
It went from a bill that weighed pounds to a bill that weighed ounces.
Ball should now be in the Dem court. https://t.co/KnSwLEjvjd
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 20, 2024
