Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Death toll nears 50 in northern Gaza aid massacre, with more casualties expected
Gaza Government Media Office: We are on the precipice of mass deaths on account of occupation closing all crossings for more than 140 days.
Gaza Government Media Office: World watches as Gaza is slaughtered without batting an eye.
Gaza Government Media Office: We stand before the greatest mass slaughter in modern history.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Toll of aid-seeking martyrs today has climbed to 17.
Tasnim news agency: Iran, E3 reach agreement to resume nuclear talks, no date agreed upon yet.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: 18 martyrs killed by occupation fire in Gaza since morning, including 12 aid seekers.
Ghalibaf: Israeli aggression against countries targeted by global arrogance confirms that Damascus will not be the last Islamic capital to be targeted.
Ghalibaf: Iran stresses its support for Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf: Amid Israeli aggression on Damascus, we assert that Iran always stands on the side of the Syrian people.

Republicans' spending bill collapse deals blow to Trump

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: News websites
  • 20 Dec 2024 08:50
4 Min Read

On the brink of a shutdown, the US House of Representatives rejects rushed package after Trump and Musk derailed the earlier deal.

Listen
  • x
  • Former US president and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks during a campaign event in Mint Hill, North Carolina, on September 25, 2024. (AFP)
    Former US president and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks during a campaign event in Mint Hill, North Carolina, on September 25, 2024. (AFP)

US President-elect Donald Trump faced a significant setback on Thursday as Republicans in Congress failed to pass a slimmed-down spending bill, just a day before a potential government shutdown that could disrupt holiday travel.

The House of Representatives rejected the Trump-endorsed bill by a vote of 174-235. The package was hastily put together by Republican leaders after Trump and billionaire Elon Musk derailed a prior bipartisan agreement.

Critics labeled the failure as a preview of potential turmoil when Trump assumes office on January 20. Musk’s involvement, marked by a series of tweets on his platform X, was derided by Democrats as the actions of “President Musk.”

House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries dismissed the proposal, saying, “The Musk-Johnson proposal is not serious. It’s laughable. Extreme Maga Republicans are driving us to a government shutdown.”

Why it matters

Despite former President Donald Trump’s backing, 38 Republicans joined nearly all Democrats in voting against the new funding package, preventing it from achieving the required two-thirds majority and leaving its future uncertain.

Related News

Syria stands at a critical juncture, peace must prevail: Barrack

US envoy meets SDF leader to advance Syria's unification

The opposition within Trump’s own party was unexpected for many observers.

The proposed bill aimed to extend government funding until March, aligning with Trump’s anticipated return to the White House and Republican control of Congress. It included $100 billion in disaster relief and a two-year suspension of the debt limit. Concessions were made by removing provisions such as congressional pay raises and new rules for pharmacy benefit managers. Trump also pushed for the suspension of debt limits to facilitate promised tax cuts, which could further increase the federal government’s $36 trillion debt.

Ahead of the vote, both parties warned of dire consequences if Congress allowed a government shutdown. Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson argued the bill would prevent disruption, address outstanding issues, and pave the way for significant spending cuts under Trump’s administration. “Government is too big, it does too many things, and it does few things well,” Johnson said.

Democrats criticized the proposal, calling it a pretext for tax cuts benefiting wealthy individuals like Elon Musk while burdening the nation with additional debt. During the floor debate, Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries challenged Republican claims of fiscal responsibility, stating, “How dare you lecture America about fiscal responsibility, ever?” Representative Jamie Raskin added, “So who is our leader Hakeem Jeffries supposed to negotiate with? Is it Mike Johnson? Is he the speaker of the House? Or is it Donald Trump? Or is it Elon Musk? Or is it somebody else?”

Some Republicans also expressed discontent. Congressman Chip Roy remarked, “I am absolutely sickened by the party that campaigns on fiscal responsibility,” criticizing the bill for increasing debt without reducing spending.

Even if the House had passed the measure, it faced steep challenges in the Democrat-controlled Senate. President Joe Biden opposed the bill, with the White House accusing Republicans of prioritizing the interests of billionaires over working Americans.

A flashback

Debt ceiling battles have historically unsettled financial markets, as a default by the U.S. government could have global repercussions. Although an agreement to suspend the debt limit is set to expire on January 1, Congress may not address the issue until spring.

The turmoil also threatens Speaker Johnson’s position, as several Republicans indicated they would not support his leadership when Congress reconvenes in January. Johnson’s reliance on Democratic support for legislative victories has sparked dissatisfaction among his party’s hardliners.

In short, the US government faces a partial shutdown if funding isn’t extended by midnight on Friday, potentially affecting services like border enforcement and national parks and delaying paychecks for over 2 million federal workers. The Transportation Security Administration has warned of lengthy airport lines during the busy holiday season.

  • United States
  • spending bill package
  • Elon Musk
  • government shutdown
  • Joe Biden
  • Donald Trump

Most Read

Algerian nurse stabbed in Germany

Murder of Algerian nurse in Germany sparks outcry, demands for justice

  • Europe
  • 14 Jul 2025
Credible reports, including some from Israeli media itself, indicate that Tel Aviv had pinned its hopes on what can only be described as a delusional plan. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)

Jebraily: Iran strikes rewrote regional deterrence rules - Exclusive

  • MENA
  • 15 Jul 2025
Al-Qassam Brigades fighters confront Israeli soldiers in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza, undated (Al-Qassam Brigades Military Media)

3 Israeli soldiers killed amid Gaza battles: Israeli media

  • Palestine
  • 14 Jul 2025
Donald Trump, the Corporate Aristocracy and the Israelization of the World

Donald Trump, the Corporate Aristocracy and the Israelization of the World

  • Opinion
  • 15 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Senator: Israeli plan for US support to displace Palestinians ‘sick'
Politics

Dem. Senator slams Israeli push for Gaza expulsion as 'sickening'

Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Pierbattista Pizzaballa, center, and other clergymen gather at the Church of St. George Al Khidr on Monday, days after an arson attack at the site reportedly by Israeli settlers. (AFP - Getty Images)
Politics

Christians under Israeli settler fire in Jesus native Palestinian soil

Smoke from Israeli airstrikes on the northern Gaza Strip, on Friday, July 18, 2025. (AP)
Politics

650 days of Israeli war: 125,000 tons of bombs; 2,613 families effaced

Gaza Health Ministry: Starved Palestinians face imminent death
Politics

Gaza MoH issues warning: Starved Palestinians face imminent death

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS