House GOP leaders appeared to be looking for a backup plan after an initial bipartisan deal to avert a partial government shutdown on Friday was buried in an avalanche of conservative opposition.
The legislation angered hardline conservatives in both the House and Senate – as well as President-elect Donald Trump’s choice to co-chair Elon Musk, his Department for Government Efficiency (DOGE).
As Musk called for lawmakers who supported the bill to forfeit their seats, Trump’s presidential transition team released an official joint statement from Trump and Vice President-elect J.D. Vance opposing the initial iteration of the deal. .
Members of the ultra-conservative House Freedom Caucus said they felt blindsided by what they saw as irrelevant policy riders being added to the bill in last-minute negotiations.
Voting was expected to take place sometime on Wednesday afternoon, but votes scheduled for late afternoon that day were canceled.
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gave 1,547 page bill There is a short-term extension to fiscal year (FY) 2024 government funding levels, intended to give lawmakers more time to agree on the remaining funds for fiscal year 2025 by Friday’s deadline.
This is the second such extension, known as a continuing resolution (CR), since fiscal year 2024 ends on September 30.
In addition to funding the government through March 14, the bill includes more than $100 billion in disaster relief to help Americans affected by Hurricanes Milton and Helene. It also includes $10 billion in economic relief for farmers, as well as health care reform measures and a provision to rehabilitate Washington, DC’s RFK Stadium and its surrounding campus.
Johnson defended the deal on “Fox & Friends” Wednesday morning.
“When we start a new Congress in January, when Republicans are in control…we will be able to reduce the size and scope of government. But before we get to that point, remember now , we only control one-half. Remember one-third of the federal government, Democrats are still in charge of the Senate and the White House.
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Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, DN.Y. Appreciated the bill. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, DN.Y. also praised CR.
“I am pleased that these negotiations resulted in a bipartisan government funding agreement free of cuts and poison pills, while also delivering on Democratic priorities for aid to care for millions of children, workforce training and jobs. Got it. Reconstruction of Key Bridgeadditional disaster relief funding and more,” he said.
Opponents of the legislation include Elon Musk, who posted on X, “Ever seen a bigger piece of pork?”