On Friday, the Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill aimed at preventing a government shutdown, despite President-elect Donald Trump’s insistence on approving trillions of dollars in new debt. The legislation must now be approved by the Democrat-led Senate to ensure the government remains funded after the current funding expires at midnight (0500 GMT Saturday). The White House has expressed that President Joe Biden intends to sign the bill into law if it passes.
The bill would extend government funding through March 14, allocate $100 billion for disaster-stricken states, and provide $10 billion for farmers. However, it does not include an increase in the debt ceiling, a proposal Trump had urged Congress to address before his inauguration on January 20.
House Speaker Mike Johnson noted that Republicans would have more influence over government spending next year when they control both chambers of Congress and Trump occupies the White House. “This was a necessary step to bridge the gap, to put us in that moment where we can influence the final decisions on spending,” he said, adding that Trump supported the package.
A government shutdown would cause widespread disruptions, impacting law enforcement, national parks, and federal workers’ pay. The travel industry warned of potential losses of $1 billion per week from a shutdown, particularly during the busy holiday season, with travelers facing long airport lines.
The bill passed with bipartisan support in a 366-34 vote and resembled a bipartisan plan that had been discarded earlier in the week due to objections from Trump and his adviser, Elon Musk, who criticized unrelated provisions like a pay raise for lawmakers and restrictions on pharmacy benefit managers. Republicans removed most of these provisions, including a measure that would have limited investments in China, a move Democrats argued conflicted with Muskβs interests.
Musk, who heads a budget-cutting task force for Trump, celebrated the revised bill, saying on social media that it had been simplified. “It went from a bill that weighed pounds to a bill that weighed ounces,” he posted.
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries emphasized that the bill achieved key goals, such as providing disaster relief and preventing a shutdown, while blocking a debt ceiling increase that would facilitate tax cuts. “We have successfully advanced the needs of everyday Americans, but there are still things to be worked on, and we look forward to that fight in the new year,” he said.
