On Thursday night, the House of Representatives failed to pass a critical spending bill intended to prevent a federal government shutdown after December 21. The bill, which required a two-thirds majority for passage due to Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) fast-tracking it by bypassing the House Rules Committee, did not receive enough support.
Hours before the vote, President-elect Donald Trump had publicly urged Republicans to back the 116-page legislation, claiming it would serve the American people well. In a post on Truth Social, Trump praised the proposed “American Relief Act of 2024,” which he said would keep the government open, support farmers, and provide aid to communities impacted by recent natural disasters.
“Speaker Mike Johnson and the House have come to a very good Deal for the American People,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “The newly agreed to American Relief Act of 2024 will keep the Government open, fund our Great Farmers and others, and provide relief for those severely impacted by the devastating hurricanes.”
However, earlier in the week, House Republicans had rejected a more comprehensive 1,547-page spending bill that would have funded the government through March 14, in an effort to avoid a shutdown during the Christmas season. The proposal was met with fierce criticism, especially from Elon Musk, who posted a series of tweets attacking the bill, some of which contained factual inaccuracies.
Reports also indicated that Trump privately dismissed the bill as “bad” and later issued public statements opposing it. Trump further complicated matters by demanding that the House include a provision to either raise or eliminate the debt ceiling — a contentious issue that limits the amount the federal government can borrow.
As the House voted on the measure Thursday, Speaker Johnson addressed reporters but did not take questions about the outcome. The failure to pass the bill leaves lawmakers facing a growing risk of a shutdown unless they can quickly reach a new funding agreement.
