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House GOP leaders appear 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 hard-liners in both the House and Senate, as well as President-elect Donald Trump’s choice to co-chair his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Elon Musk.
While 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 JD Vance opposing the initial iteration of the OK.
Members of the ultraconservative House Freedom Caucus said they felt blindsided by what they saw as unrelated critics being added to the bill in last-minute negotiations.
The bill was expected to be voted on Wednesday afternoon, but that day’s scheduled afternoon votes were canceled.
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President Mike Johnson, left, and Elon Musk disagree over a government spending bill. (Jean Catuffe/GC Images/Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
The Bill of 1,547 pages is a short-term extension of fiscal year (FY) 2024 government funding levels, intended to give lawmakers more time to agree to fund the remainder of FY 2025 before Friday’s deadline.
It is the second such extension, called a continuing resolution (CR), since fiscal year 2024 ended on September 30.
In addition to funding the government through March 14, the bill also has more than $100 billion in disaster aid to help Americans affected by Hurricanes Milton and Helene. It also includes an additional $10 billion in economic aid for farmers, as well as health care reform measures and a provision aimed at revitalizing Washington, DC’s RFK Stadium and its surrounding campus.
Johnson defended the deal on “Fox & Friends” Wednesday morning.
“When we start the new Congress in January, when the Republicans are in control … we will be able to reduce the size and scope of government. But before we get to that point, remember right now, we only control half of it. of one-third of the federal government, remember the Democrats are still in charge of the Senate and the White House, so what we’ve done is call the conservatives in,” he said.
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Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, DN.Y. he praised the bill. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, DN.Y., also praised the CR.
“I am pleased that these negotiations have led to a bipartisan government funding agreement that is free of cuts and poison pills, while guaranteeing Democratic priorities like millions for child care, workforce training and employment, the ‘assistance for the Reconstruction of the Key Bridgeadditional disaster relief funding and more,” he said.
Opponents of the legislation include Elon Musk, who posted on X: “Have you ever seen a bigger piece of pork?”
