Government Shutdown Looms as Republicans Struggle to Pass Spending Package
House Speaker Mike Johnson and other Republican leaders are racing against the clock to find a solution to the impasse over the spending bill, as a government shutdown looms at midnight ET on Saturday. The revolt by conservatives and the unexpected involvement of President-elect Donald Trump, Vice President-elect JD Vance, and Elon Musk have complicated the situation.
Trump’s demand to tackle the debt ceiling in the package has thrown a wrench into the works. Many conservatives are opposed to increasing the debt ceiling, while Democrats are balking because Republicans reneged on a previous deal. The situation has left members of Congress struggling to find a way out of their political cul-de-sac.
With time running out, many lawmakers are resigning themselves to the possibility of a government shutdown, which could last through Christmas. The Senate must still approve any new bill, and even if it can be passed, there are concerns about getting it to the Senate in time.
The impasse has also left the fate of disaster aid in limbo, with some conservatives opposing the assistance for North Carolina and Florida without offsets. The assistance is needed for recovery efforts after Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
