The U.S. House of Representatives failed to pass a revamped funding plan late Thursday, intensifying fears of a government shutdown as the Friday night deadline approaches. The proposed bill, backed by President-elect Donald Trump, was rejected in a 174-235 vote, with nearly three dozen Republicans joining Democrats in opposition.
The legislation, introduced by House GOP leaders, was designed as a stopgap measure to keep the government funded until March 14. It included over $100 billion in disaster relief, extensions for the Farm Bill and healthcare policies, and financial aid for farmers. At Trump’s insistence, the bill also sought to suspend the debt ceiling for two years.
Despite its broad scope, the proposal fell flat in a chamber divided over fiscal priorities. Critics on both sides of the aisle condemned the measure, with Democrats calling it a “budget-busting tax cut” favoring wealthy elites, including billionaire Elon Musk, a Trump ally.
Partisan Blame Game
House Democrats argued that the GOP bears responsibility for the impending shutdown after Trump and Musk derailed an earlier bipartisan funding agreement. That deal, brokered by House Speaker Mike Johnson, had been on track to secure enough support before Trump’s last-minute demands scuttled it.
“House Republicans are walking away from their own deal, and now they will own the consequences of a shutdown,” said House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
Democrats accused the GOP of prioritizing tax cuts for wealthy backers over essential government operations, warning that the proposed measure would add trillions of dollars to the national debt.
Republican Rift
The failed vote also highlighted fractures within the Republican Party. Hardline conservatives opposed the spending levels and debt ceiling provisions, while moderates struggled to reconcile Trump’s demands with the need to avoid a shutdown.
“The President-elect’s intervention has complicated what was already a difficult negotiation,” said one Republican lawmaker who requested anonymity.
The bill’s rejection marks a significant setback for Johnson, who has faced mounting pressure to unite his party behind a funding plan. Trump’s influence has loomed large over the process, with many GOP lawmakers looking to him for guidance despite the political risks of a shutdown.
Implications of a Shutdown
If Congress fails to pass a funding measure by Friday night, federal agencies will begin shutting down, affecting millions of Americans. Essential services such as Social Security and military operations would continue, but many federal workers face furloughs, and public services could be severely disrupted.
With time running out, lawmakers face a narrowing window to find a compromise. As of Thursday night, no clear path forward had emerged, leaving the nation bracing for the fallout of political gridlock.
