WASHINGTON — Efforts to avert a partial government shutdown faltered Wednesday, as Republicans voiced discontent with added provisions in a short-term funding bill. Vice President-elect J.D. Vance and President-elect Donald Trump suggested using the remaining days before a shutdown to press Democrats on the debt limit issue.
The proposed year-end spending package, revealed Tuesday, aims to fund the government through March 14 and extend the farm bill’s agriculture and nutrition programs until September. It also includes billions in emergency aid for disaster-hit communities. However, several added provisions have infuriated far-right Republicans, including Trump allies, complicating bipartisan negotiations.
Congress must pass a short-term spending bill by midnight on Friday to avoid a shutdown, which would halt operations across federal departments. Exempt employees would work unpaid, while non-exempt workers face furloughs. This potential shutdown could surpass the impact of the 35-day shutdown during Trump’s first term, affecting broader sectors of the government.
A failure to pass the stopgap bill could halt pay for U.S. troops and impact agencies like Customs and Border Protection. Federal departments aiding disaster recovery, such as FEMA and the Small Business Administration, would face disruptions, affecting disaster relief efforts for hurricanes Helene and Milton.
Debt Limit Discussions
The debt limit issue emerged in negotiations as Vance pushed for its inclusion in the spending bill. The current debt limit suspension ends January 1, but the Treasury can use accounting maneuvers to prevent default for a few months. Vance insists on addressing the debt ceiling now, stating, “The most foolish and inept thing ever done by Congressional Republicans was allowing our country to hit the debt ceiling in 2025.”
Elon Musk, assigned by Trump to suggest efficiency improvements through spending cuts, advocated on social media for delaying legislation until post-inauguration. Such a delay could disrupt numerous government programs, including farm bill assistance. Musk stated, “Any member of the House or Senate who votes for this outrageous spending bill deserves to be voted out in 2 years!”
Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina emphasized the necessity of including disaster aid in any short-term spending bill, crucial for recovery in his state. He warned, “I’ll use every tool available to block a CR that fails Western North Carolina communities.” Sen. Shelley Moore Capito also expressed the need for disaster aid in a stopgap bill, highlighting its importance for areas like Asheville, impacted by recent disasters.
