US House Rejects Republican Bill to Prevent Government Shutdown

The U.S. House of Representatives has rejected a Republican-led funding bill, escalating the likelihood of a government shutdown as federal agencies run out of funding. The legislation, which required two-thirds support, was aimed at keeping the government operational while addressing debt concerns but failed due to bipartisan opposition and internal Republican dissent.

The bill sought to suspend the debt limit for President-elect Donald Trump's first two years in office. However, many Republicans, particularly fiscal conservatives, opposed the package, citing excessive spending. The legislation’s failure is a setback for House Speaker Mike Johnson, whose leadership is under scrutiny. Adding to the controversy, influential figures like Elon Musk and Donald Trump publicly criticized the bill. Musk, a major Trump ally, rallied opposition on social media, while Trump threatened political consequences for Republicans supporting the package.

Democrats, led by Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, opposed the Republican proposal, calling it a “giveaway for billionaires” and advocating for a bipartisan solution instead. As a result, the bill failed to secure even a simple majority.

Without a resolution, government operations are expected to halt at midnight on Saturday, affecting approximately 875,000 federal employees. Essential staff will be required to work without pay during the holidays, and non-essential employees face furloughs.

The failure highlights the fractured state of the Republican Party, which faces challenges in uniting its members around major legislative efforts. Democrats, who control the Senate, have shown little willingness to compromise on Republican-led measures, further complicating the situation.

As the deadline looms, the Republican leadership must scramble for an alternative plan to avert the shutdown. However, finding a path forward appears increasingly difficult with internal divisions and external criticism. The political fallout of a shutdown could have significant repercussions for both parties, especially as the 2025 fiscal year remains unresolved.

Refrence From: www.ndtv.com