House Republican leaders appear to be exploring alternatives after an initial bipartisan agreement to avert a partial government shutdown on Friday was drowned out by an avalanche of conservative opposition.
The bill not only angered hardliners in both houses of Congress, but also Elon Musk, President-elect Donald Trump’s choice to co-chair the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
President Trump’s transition team issued a public joint statement opposing the first iteration of the deal by Trump and Vice President-elect J.D. Vance, as Musk called on lawmakers who supported the bill to lose their seats. .
Members of the ultra-conservative House Freedom Caucus said they felt blindsided by unrelated policy riders added to the bill in last-minute negotiations.
The bill was scheduled to be voted on Wednesday afternoon, but a vote scheduled for later that afternoon was canceled.
Daniel Penny selected as Congressional Gold Medal Nominee
House Speaker Mike Johnson (left) and Elon Musk are at odds over the government spending bill. (Jean Katuf/GC Images/Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
The 1,547-page bill is a short-term extension of government funding levels for fiscal year 2024 aimed at giving lawmakers more time to agree on funding for the remainder of fiscal year 2025 by a Friday deadline. It is.
This is the second such extension, known as a continuing resolution (CR), since fiscal year 2024 ended on September 30.
In addition to funding the government through March 14, the bill also includes more than $100 billion in disaster relief to help Americans affected by Hurricanes Milton and Helen. There is. It includes $10 billion in additional economic relief for farmers, as well as health care reform measures and provisions aimed at revitalizing Washington, D.C.’s RFK Stadium and the surrounding campus.
Johnson defended the deal on “Fox & Friends” Wednesday morning.
“When a new Congress begins in January with Republicans in control…we will be able to reduce the size and scope of government. But before we get to that point, we now control only half of the government. Remember, one-third of the federal government is still in charge of the Senate and the White House, so what we’ve done here is conservative. It’s a play,” he said.
Republicans reveal details of private meeting with Doge Duo
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer praised the D.N.Y. bill. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D.N.Y.) also praised CR.
“These negotiations will lead to a bipartisan government funding agreement with no layoffs or poison pills, while also providing millions in child care, workforce training and job placement, support for rebuilding Key Bridges, additional disaster relief funding, and more.” “I’m glad we were able to secure Democratic priorities as well,” he said.
Opponents of the bill include Elon Musk, who posted on X: “Have you ever seen a bigger pork?”
Elizabeth Elkind is a political reporter for FOX News Digital, where she leads coverage of the House of Representatives. Previous digital bylines can be found on the Daily Mail and CBS News.
Follow @liz_elkind on Twitter and send tips to elizabeth.elkind@fox.com.
Source link
