WASHINGTON − Republican lawmakers have put forward a last-minute plan aimed at funding the government and dodging a significant shutdown during the holiday season, but top Democrats have quickly dismissed the proposal.

On Thursday afternoon, House Republican leaders revealed that they had struck a deal on a continuing resolution. This temporary measure would allow the government to remain funded until March.

President-elect Donald Trump backed the initiative, which allocates $100 billion for relief efforts due to Hurricanes Helene and Milton that caused destruction in the South earlier this year, in addition to funding for other disasters.

The current government funding is scheduled to expire on Friday night, and a shutdown would result in the furloughing of many federal employees and halt essential resources.

However, securing Democratic support is crucial for Republican leaders to pass the proposal since the Senate is under Democratic control. Additionally, the GOP holds a slim majority in the House, with some Republican legislators threatening to oppose the party line.

Democrats seem unwilling to cooperate after Johnson rejected their initial bipartisan proposal. Lawmakers ended up in a scramble on Wednesday when the original agreement faced backlash from conservatives and was ultimately undermined by Trump and his allies.

“I’m not just a no; I’m a hell no,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., told his Democratic colleagues during a meeting on Thursday.

“I’m willing to stay until hell freezes over to fight for what we deserve,” stated Maxine Waters, D-Calif.

After several hours of negotiations on Thursday, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., unveiled a revised edition of the original funding extension, simplifying it by removing several contentious additions, such as pay raises for lawmakers.

Trump expressed his support for the updated agreement as its details began to emerge ahead of Johnson’s announcement.

“All Republicans, and even Democrats, should do what’s best for our country and vote ‘YES’ for this Bill, TONIGHT!” Trump stated in a social media post.

The House is expected to vote on the revised bill on Thursday evening. After its approval in the lower chamber, the Senate will have the opportunity to review the proposal, which is under Democratic control.

The last government shutdown in the U.S. also coincided with the holiday season and was the longest in history, occurring during the first Trump administration and lasting 35 days from December 2018 to January 2019.

This story was updated with fresh information.