Washington, D.C., December 21, 2024 – The Europe Today: The U.S. House of Representatives narrowly passed a funding bill on Friday, averting a government shutdown with just hours to spare. The bipartisan legislation, which extends federal funding through mid-March, now heads to the Senate for approval.
Despite being introduced by Republican lawmakers, the bill’s passage relied heavily on Democratic support. While 34 Republican representatives opposed the measure, nearly all Democrats voted in favor, highlighting the deep divisions within the GOP.
“Today, Democrats stood firm in our commitment to collaboration, not division. The American people deserve a government that works for them,” stated senior Democratic Congressman Bennie Thompson in a post on X.
The funding package includes $110 billion in disaster aid and financial relief for farmers, but notably excludes a two-year suspension of the federal borrowing limit, a contentious provision pushed by Republican President-elect Donald Trump.
Internal GOP Discord
The legislation faced significant hurdles after President-elect Trump and Elon Musk, the incoming “efficiency czar,” urged Republicans to abandon an earlier compromise with Democrats. This led to two failed attempts at reaching an agreement, leaving House Speaker Mike Johnson scrambling to avoid a shutdown.
Trump’s influence over the GOP remains strong, with Musk amplifying his positions through social media posts that stirred conservative dissent. “So is this a Republican bill or a Democrat bill?” Musk questioned online, fueling intra-party tensions.
The billionaire’s involvement has drawn sharp criticism from both sides of the aisle. Democratic leaders have decried Musk’s sway over Republican lawmakers, while some GOP members expressed frustration over his perceived interference.
“Last time I checked, Elon Musk doesn’t have a vote in Congress,” said Georgia Republican Rich McCormick in an interview with CNN. “He’ll put pressure on us to do whatever he thinks is right for him, but I have 760,000 people who voted for me to do the right thing for them.”
High-Stakes Negotiations
The Republican-led House introduced the revised bill after Trump made clear he would accept no compromises. “If there is going to be a shutdown of government, let it begin now, under the Biden Administration,” Trump declared on social media.
Ultimately, the House-approved bill represents a fragile truce, ensuring government operations continue for the next few months. The Senate is expected to take up the measure soon, but the political brinkmanship underscores the challenges ahead for Congress in crafting long-term budget solutions.
If passed by the Senate, the temporary funding measure will buy lawmakers time to address broader fiscal issues and avoid a repeat of the dramatic showdown witnessed this week.
