WASHINGTON − A proposal to prevent a government shutdown that had support from top Republican officials was rejected in the House on Thursday, as many conservative lawmakers teamed up with Democrats to vote it down.

This proposal was a smaller variant of a bipartisan agreement announced earlier in the week aimed at temporarily preventing a shutdown, offering disaster assistance, and more. However, this did not satisfy enough Democrats in the House.

If Congress fails to act by midnight Friday, a government shutdown will commence, leading to the furlough of thousands of federal workers and risking various services.

Despite the setback, President-elect Donald Trump expressed his backing for the latest attempt, labeling it a “success” in D.C. This comes after he publicly urged Congress to reject the bipartisan agreement earlier this week that would have ensured government funding through March.

Stay tuned to YSL News for live updates throughout the day.

Mike Johnson responds to Democratic opposition after proposal fails

House Speaker Mike Johnson expressed his disappointment to reporters, stating that it is “very disappointing” that nearly all Democrats voted against the continuing resolution on Thursday.

“Last spring, these same Democrats criticized Republicans for holding the debt ceiling hostage. What has changed? It’s irresponsible for us to risk a shutdown over issues already previously agreed upon,” he noted.

Johnson mentioned that Republicans will regroup and seek to create another proposal. On the other hand, Democrats accused Republicans of stepping back from a previously established bipartisan agreement.

– Sudiksha Kochi

Funding proposal meets failure in the House

House Republicans rushed to develop a new continuing resolution on Thursday, following their initial bipartisan agreement being derailed by Trump and his supporters, Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy.

The House voted 235-174 against the spending bill, falling short of the two-thirds majority required for approval. Thirty-eight Republicans joined with 197 Democrats in their opposition.

– Savannah Kuchar

‘Take responsibility and pass your own legislation’

A lively debate over the funding extension unfolded, which seems likely to fail on the House floor this evening.

Some Republicans expressed their reservations about the proposal. At one moment, Rep. Marc Molinaro, R-NY, who was managing the proceedings, accidentally broke a gavel while trying to maintain order in the chamber.

Rep. Jared Moskowitz, D-Florida, challenged his Republican counterparts, telling them to “put on your big boy pants and pass your own bill.”

Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, questioned the rationale behind the Republicans’ proposal.

“Because you’re liars,” Democrats retorted in response.

– Riley Beggin

Democrats accuse Republicans of breaking bipartisan agreements

Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., accused Republicans of “breaking their promises” and stated that they wouldn’t receive Democratic support for their latest extension proposal—as they did in previous agreements.

“Hakeem Jeffries doesn’t seem to know who his negotiating partner is,” he remarked. “Is it Mike Johnson? Is it President Elon Musk, or Vice President JD Vance, or Junior Vice President Donald Trump? Who knows?”

Although lawmakers had unveiled a bipartisan funding extension earlier this week that would have prevented a government shutdown, Republicans abandoned that plan following Trump’s opposition.

– Riley Beggin

Blame game begins as shutdown looms

As Congress grapples with passing the new government funding proposal, both parties are poised to blame each other if the agreement fails or if a shutdown occurs this weekend.

“If this doesn’t pass, it solely lies on Hakeem Jeffries’ shoulders,” stated Rep. Derrick Van Orden, R-Wis. “If it doesn’t succeed in the Senate, it’s (Sen. Chuck) Schumer’s shutdown period.”

Despite a new funding proposal introduced by top Republicans on Thursday, it faced immediate bipartisan criticism. Some conservative Republicans, like Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, opposed the bill, while several Democrats were also dissatisfied with its terms.

“Everyone agreed on a bipartisan compromise—Senate Democrats, Senate Republicans, House Democrats, House Republicans—and then it was derailed by Elon Musk, who seems to have become a fourth branch of government,” said Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., referring to the prior funding deal opposed by Trump and his allies.

– Sudiksha Kochi

Democrats quickly dismiss GOP proposal

Following the announcement of a new Republican proposal Thursday afternoon, numerous Democratic lawmakers promptly rejected the prospective deal.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., dismissed the new offer as “ridiculous” and “not serious.”

“Extreme MAGA Republicans are pushing us toward a government shutdown,” he informed reporters.

Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., mentioned that Democrats “will explore options to salvage what good we can from this situation that has been forced upon us.”

“Who is Hakeem Jeffries supposed to negotiate with? Is it Mike Johnson, the Speaker of the House, or Donald Trump? Or Elon Musk, or someone else entirely?” Raskin questioned.

Sudiksha Kochi

Donald Trump supports new funding plan, clearing major obstacle

Trump declared that the latest funding arrangement reached by Republicans on Thursday afternoon was a “SUCCESS in Washington!”

“Speaker Mike Johnson and the House have struck an excellent deal for the American People. The newly established American Relief Act of 2024 will keep the government operating, support our outstanding farmers and many others, and offer assistance to those profoundly affected by the catastrophic hurricanes,” Trump stated.

He also praised a notable aspect of the agreement: Temporarily lifting the nation’s debt ceiling for the next two years.

− Marina Pitofsky

New agreement will be a ‘critical moment’ for Mike Johnson

Rep. Rich McCormick, R-Ga., who has not yet reviewed the new agreement reached by Republicans on Thursday, noted that the ongoing resolution situation will be pivotal for House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La.

“This is an important moment for his role as speaker,” McCormick remarked. “His actions and how he manages this situation, along with our conference, which I’m sure we will be discussing in an upcoming meeting, will define his leadership style and determine his future in this position,” McCormick added.

When asked if he would endorse Johnson for another term as speaker in January, McCormick replied, “Once I review the specifics of the agreement, I’ll let you know.”

− Sudiksha Kochi

Donald Trump criticizes right-wing Rep. Chip Roy as government shutdown discussions continue

On Thursday, Trump targeted hardline conservative Rep. Chip Roy, advocating that the Texas Republican should face challenges in his 2026 primary race.

“Ineffective individuals like Chip must be regarded as woefully lacking in understanding of political processes and the drive to Make America Great Again,” Trump expressed on social media.

Roy has been a prominent critic of the funding extension plan introduced by House Speaker Mike Johnson earlier this week, which was subsequently opposed by Trump and his allies. Nonetheless, Trump has also urged Congress to abolish the debt ceiling, a move that could conflict with Roy’s fiscal conservatism.

– Savannah Kuchar

GOP lawmaker states Musk and Ramaswamy hold no influence over him

Rep. Glenn Thompson, R-Pa., who leads the House Agriculture Committee, told reporters on Thursday that he will not endorse a government funding extension without including disaster relief for farmers.

“We are aware that there are farmers and ranchers currently being denied access to credit and if you lose your farm or ranch, there aren’t many people ready to step in and farm after you, which can lead to food insecurity and ultimately national security concerns,” he said.

When asked about Musk and Ramaswamy’s comments that farm aid in the bill is ineffective, Thompson remarked, “They have their opinions.” Musk and Ramaswamy were recruited by Trump to lead the Department of Government Efficiency, aimed at reducing federal spending and regulations.

“Do they have any significant influence? Not with me,” Thompson asserted.

− Sudiksha Kochi

Congress struggles as deadline looms for yet another US government shutdown

The countdown is on as Congressional lawmakers hurry to avert another government shutdown, which is set to begin right after midnight on Saturday, December 21.

Since 1976, the government has partially closed 21 times; the last and most prolonged shutdown was a 35-day standoff between then-President Donald Trump and Speaker Nancy Pelosi from December 2018 to January 2019.

− Terry Moseley

Will a government shutdown impact Social Security payments? Here’s what to consider

During a government shutdown, certain federal agencies continue their operations since some of their employees are considered “essential” for maintaining critical services such as air traffic control, border security, law enforcement, urgent medical care, and power grid operation, according to the nonpartisan, nonprofit Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget.

Programs and agencies that proceed because a portion of their funding is not subject to annual congressional appropriations include Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security.

Social Security has “dedicated funding, so it is outside the typical budget process,” explained Craig Copeland, director of wealth benefits research at the Employee Benefit Research Institute. “All that money is available to be distributed (out). It doesn’t need to go through appropriation. Your checks will still come.”

− Mike Snider

‘President-elect Musk’: Elon’s role highlighted in government spending debate

Hours prior to Donald Trump denouncing a bipartisan short-term funding deal on Wednesday—jeopardizing the federal government’s ability to remain functioning over the Christmas holiday—a significant member of his team was already working to undermine the agreement.

Elon Musk took to X, the social media platform he owns, to criticize the funding measure, urging lawmakers to “kill the bill.” When Trump finally chimed in, it was 14 hours after Musk’s initial condemnation of the spending proposal. It seemed as if he were taking cues from the technology mogul.

Democrats and critics of Trump criticized Musk’s effective maneuver to impede the spending bill, with some suggesting his immense wealth makes him disconnected from ordinary Americans.

“The wealthiest person globally claims he wants to halt government operations, leaving millions of American employees—including our military—without pay during the holiday season,” tweeted Rep. Don Beyer, D-Va., whose district has numerous federal workers and includes the Pentagon. “Republicans are following his directions. This is outrageous.”

On the other hand, many Republican lawmakers voiced their support. Senator Ron Johnson, R-Wis., expressed his pleasure at Musk’s involvement in the budget dispute, stating, “It’s encouraging to have someone in the media advocating for conservative values and fiscal responsibility.”

− Zac Anderson and Josh Meyer

Republicans claim they’re ‘making headway’ on a spending resolution

On Thursday, House Republicans informed reporters that they expect a resolution regarding government funding before a potential shutdown occurs this weekend.

“The atmosphere in the room is one of teamwork,” stated Rep. Dusty Johnson, R-S.D., as he left Speaker Mike Johnson’s office in the U.S. Capitol. “We’re making headway.” Johnson did not provide additional details about the discussions held. “Ultimately, this package will yield great outcomes,” he noted, remarking, “We’re heading towards a very, very positive outcome. And while it may not always be a straightforward process, this agreement will conclude favorably.”

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., indicated that she anticipated a House vote on the matter later that day, without clarifying whether it would involve a new version of a continuing resolution different from the one previously proposed by Speaker Mike Johnson and the Democrats.

− Sudiksha Kochi

What is the debt ceiling?

The debt ceiling is the limit established by Congress on how much debt the government is allowed to incur. To meet its financial obligations to those it has borrowed from and to fund everything from Medicare to military salaries, the government needs to raise the debt ceiling.

Established in 1917, this legislative limit must be increased through a majority vote in both the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Such a vote does not authorize any new spending; it simply allows for an increase in the amount of money the government can borrow to fulfill commitments that Congress has already made.

– Anna Kaufman

Will mail services or the post office be affected by a government shutdown?

No, the U.S. Postal Service is not impacted by a government shutdown because it does not rely on Congress for its funding.

According to a statement posted on their website on September 29, 2023, amid concerns about a potential shutdown, USPS affirmed that their “operations will continue unaffected, and all Post Offices will remain operational as usual.”

“Since we function as an independent entity that primarily generates funding through the sale of goods and services, rather than through tax revenues, our services will remain unaffected by a government shutdown,” they stated.

− Saman Shafiq

Trump advocates for the elimination of the debt ceiling

On Thursday, President-elect Donald Trump suggested that Congress should abolish the debt ceiling, a day after he derailed a bipartisan agreement aimed at funding the government, which is critical before a potential shutdown over the holiday season.

In a phone interview with NBC News, Trump stated that eliminating the debt ceiling would be the “most intelligent action” Congress could take, adding, “I fully support that.”

The debt ceiling, which limits federal borrowing, had not been a focal point during discussions surrounding the short-term spending bill needed to prevent a government shutdown before Friday’s midnight deadline.

An earlier bipartisan agreement made earlier in the week between House Speaker Mike Johnson and Democrats to fund the government until mid-March fell apart on Wednesday after Trump opposed it and tech billionaire Elon Musk voiced strong criticism of the legislation on social media.

Republicans expressed concerns regarding various additional provisions in the extensive 1,500-page bill.

The legislation includes salary boosts for Congress members, $100 billion in urgent aid, and $21 billion for farmers facing crop or livestock challenges.

Trump now advocates for a straightforward spending bill devoid of “Democrat giveaways,” alongside adjustments to the debt ceiling – whether that means increasing it or eliminating it entirely – as long as President Joe Biden remains in office.

− Joey Garrison

Rand Paul suggests Musk as Speaker Johnson’s replacement

Senator Rand Paul from Kentucky proposed billionaire Elon Musk as a candidate to take over from House Speaker Mike Johnson during the ongoing turmoil in Washington.

“The House Speaker doesn’t necessarily have to be a sitting member of Congress,” Paul remarked on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. “Imagine the disruption to the establishment if Elon Musk were elected. Just consider it anything is possible. (And think about the delight in watching the establishment, or ‘uniparty,’ completely lose it).”

Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, a member of the Freedom Caucus, supported this notion on the platform, stating, “The establishment needs to be broken just like it was yesterday. This could be the avenue.”

Musk is not part of Congress, but since all previous House Speakers have been representatives, there is no official rule that mandates this.

− Sam Woodward

Trump shares his views on Fox and Friends

As the deadline approached, President-elect Donald Trump declared on Fox and Friends that he is “completely opposed” to the proposed funding extension.

“Republicans need to be SMART and TOUGH,” Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance expressed in a statement rejecting the current plan. “If the Democrats threaten to shut down the government unless we concede to all their demands, then CALL THEIR BLUFF.”

House Republican leaders are now in a scramble to devise an alternative plan, potentially creating a simpler resolution that could garner sufficient support from their group. However, if they abandon the old plan for a cleaner funding extension, they could lose backing from Senate Democrats who still retain control there.

This situation is already creating divisions within the GOP just weeks before Trump is to take office.

Senator Josh Hawley from Missouri said he spoke to Trump on Wednesday evening, and the president-elect voiced his dissatisfaction with House Speaker Mike Johnson’s management of the funding issue. “Is this really how you want your government to operate?” Hawley recalled asking Trump. “It seems like these guys can’t navigate their way out of a paper bag.”

What are the chances of a government shutdown?

After receiving backlash from Trump and others, Speaker Johnson of Louisiana spent several hours Thursday in his office, meeting with a steady stream of fellow Republicans looking for a way forward.

Representative Kevin Hern from Oklahoma described the day as “pretty wild” after leaving his meeting with Johnson.

“Many members are reconsidering (the bill) and it’s time to reset our approach,” he stated.

Another Oklahoma Republican, Rep. Tom Cole, who chairs the appropriations committee, did not respond to inquiries about the situation while heading into the speaker’s office.

− Riley Beggin and Sudiksha Kochi

Democrats refuse to rescue their colleagues.

“House Republicans will be accountable for any adverse effects a government shutdown brings to the American public,” warned House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., to the press.

Any agreement reached by House Republicans will require approval from Senate Democrats – who have little incentive to meet GOP demands, especially as they won’t have any negotiating leverage in the upcoming year with a Republican majority.

A group of Senate Democrats on the Appropriations Committee gathered with Majority Leader Chuck Schumer on the Senate floor on Wednesday night, but details of their discussions remain undisclosed.

Indications are showing where Democrats might find common ground.

“Republicans often struggle with governance,” remarked Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich. “This is indicative of the challenges we’ll face in the next two years.”

As of Wednesday evening, Congress has just 48 hours to come up with a solution to keep the government operational.

− Savannah Kuchar

Lawmakers Discuss Next Steps

The Republicans’ objections largely revolved around various additional provisions, which Trump and Vance have labeled as “sweetheart deals.”

The proposed 1,547-page legislation features numerous extra provisions, including healthcare reforms and congressional salary increases, which some GOP members have urged Johnson to eliminate.

Despite this, certain Republicans are against removing everything.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., stated he would oppose the funding extension unless it encompasses disaster relief. “Anyone who thinks disaster relief is unnecessary should visit my home,” he commented.

The current funding proposal includes approximately $100 billion for disaster aid. Graham emphasized that while the government mismanages certain expenses, “there’s a necessary role for government” when people lose everything. “It’s a moral obligation to distribute funds to assist individuals in regaining stability.”

−Riley Beggin

Consequences of a Government Shutdown

If Congress fails to reach an agreement and approve a funding extension, the United States may experience a government shutdown affecting a variety of sectors.

In such a scenario, federal agencies deemed “non-essential,” unlike the U.S. Postal Service, Medicare, and Social Security, would halt operations.

During a shutdown, federal employees would be furloughed, while essential personnel would be required to continue working without pay, although they would receive backpay once the shutdown ends. Additionally, government food assistance programs would face delays, and national parks would close temporarily.

The most recent holiday shutdown coincided with the last time there was a government shutdown. From December 2018 to January 2019, the government was shut down for 35 days under the Trump administration.