House Republicans reached an agreement on a backup plan to avoid a government shutdown by Friday’s deadline.
Sources told Fox News Digital that the deal would extend current government funding levels by three months and suspend the debt ceiling that President-elect Trump had called for for two years.
President Trump praised the agreement minutes after Fox News Digital reported on it.
The deal also includes aid for farmers and about $110 billion in disaster relief funding for Americans affected by storms Helen and Milton.
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Congressman Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) speaks as House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-Louisiana) listens during a press conference at the U.S. Capitol on December 17, 2024 in Washington, DC. ,left). . (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
The bill would also include certain health care provisions, with the exception of pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) reform, which has been pushed by some Republicans and Democrats but fiercely opposed by others. .
President Trump said of the agreement, “Speaker Mike Johnson and the House of Representatives have reached an agreement that is very good for the American people.” “The newly agreed American Rescue Act of 2024 will keep government functioning, provide funding to our great farmers and others, and provide relief to those severely affected by devastating hurricanes.” I will.
“Every Republican, and even Democrats, should do what’s best for our country and vote YES on this bill tonight!”
Meanwhile, the national debt recently exceeded $36 trillion and continues to rise. The national deficit is over $1 trillion.
Immediately after the FOX News Digital report, House leadership released the legal text of the bill. The bill was approximately 116 pages long, a far cry from the original 1,547-page bill.
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President-elect Trump praised the new agreement. (Oleg Nikin/Getty Images)
It comes as conservatives led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy on Wednesday blocked Speaker Mike Johnson’s original government funding plan, raising concerns that the government could be partially shut down just before the holidays. This is in response to what caused the
Republican hardliners were furious at what they saw as last-minute additions to the bill of unrelated measures and policy riders.
Chairman Mike Johnson (left) and Elon Musk (Getty Images)
House Republicans began negotiations on a “clean” bill known as the Continuing Resolution (CR), but the negotiations stalled after President Trump urged Republicans to combine the CR with debt limit measures. It returned. First half of next year.
Musk and Ramaswamy also weighed in on the fight, with Musk calling on Republicans who support the deal to lose their House seats.
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The original bipartisan plan was declared “dead” by House Minority Leader Steve Scalise (R-Louisiana), who left the Capitol on Wednesday night.
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In addition to averting a partial government shutdown through March 14, the bill also included provisions allowing for the revitalization of Washington, D.C.’s RFK Stadium. Allow ethanol fuel to be sold year-round. This is the first salary increase for MPs since 2009.
House members could vote on the new bill as early as Thursday night.
But it’s not immediately clear whether it will pass. Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas), who led the opposition to the original bill, similarly slammed the new deal.
“More debt, more government. $4 trillion more credit cards with spending restraints and zero cuts. Absolute no,” Roy wrote to X.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York also told reporters on his way to a closed session of the House Democratic Caucus that “Musk-Johnson’s proposal is not serious. It’s ridiculous.” “The extreme MAGA Republicans are ruining us.” Government shutdown. ”
FOX News’ Kelly Fares contributed to this report.
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.
