WASHINGTON | The late attempt to avert the closure of the government spearheaded by President-elect Donald Trump was voted on in the House of Representatives. And lost on Thursday night, hence increasing anticipation of an impending holiday fiasco. Of note, the bill contained language to prevent a federal operational shutdown as well as debt ceiling suspension; however, it was able to win because there was a determined partisan vote and huge chaos within the GOP in the House.
As per reports, the bill initiated by the house speaker, Mike Johnson, failed after a vote of 174 to 235 in the majority. Johnson was noted as saying that he will be able to drum up the required votes by Friday midnight. But in return, they suffered major backlash from Dems and hard-right conservatives who occupied the entire opposition bench of the House.
Over 60 Republicans supported the motion, with all Democrats voting against it. Other members were divided with self-imposed austerities. But most Recess Javanese supported the bill. Johnson had to call for division and voting out of despair.
“We are going to do the right thing here,” he noted before the division; however, it turned out to be unhelpful for most MPs to decide.
Democratic Resistance
All Democrats voted against the bill, claiming that it wasn’t enough to keep previous bipartisan agreements over negotiations with Johnson on terms that better suited them and simply said no to additional terms added on by Trump. House Democratic Leader Jeffries has voiced his disapproval of the revamped plan, stating, “I think we all in here can agree the new proposal is absolutely laughable. It is a total joke.”
During the closed-door congressional retreat of Dems, voices of chants: “Hell, no!” While Democrats were apparently uninterested in complying with certain decisions or demands, this was laid out in full detail by Trump, which many knew would be a politically charged demand.
“I guess we are right back at the chaos again,” said Katherine Clark, House Democratic Whip, criticizing the inability of the GOP to govern.`
Trump’s Demands and GOP Struggles
Trump’s plan squabbled with its own party members as it sought the approval of allowing the government to extend its funding for three months and raised the debt ceiling until January 2027, which included $100.4 billion in disaster relief. Furthermore, a portion of the plan was not received well with opposition party members as well.
In the past, Trump had warned that without the approval of his proposals by Republicans, there could be dire consequences politically. In a statement to Fox News Digital, he warned that “Anyone who votes for a bill that does not cater to the financial string that binds them all together, known as the debt ceiling, should put up and be disposed of as soon as they can.”
The fading of Johnson’s capacity to obtain widespread backing within his party was compounded by the raised debt ceiling, which is usually a longer and more complicated process in most cases.
The drama only escalated from here as Trump loyalists and billionaire Elon Musk used social media to promote the bill that caused a stir. His stance acted as added pressure for the GOP’s support, who received a large number of calls opposing the bill.
Economic and Human Stakes
With the clock winding down to the closure of the government, the outcomes look dire. Federal offices have started setting up in anticipation of a shutdown that would affect many of their functions, including the payment of their soldiers and provision of food to poorer families who would need it during the holidays.
Clark further emphasized the human cost, describing the prospective scenario if a shutdown were to occur as “shameful, cruel, and wrong.”
The measure also met criticism concerning the lack of bipartisan measures such as the pay increase lawmakers have long demanded and additional funding to repair the dilapidated Key Bridge in Baltimore.
Politicized Arguments Increase
Tempers rose in the House chamber as there was a hot exchange during the controversy. The Texan representative Chip Roy scolded his fellow politicians, calling them losers for giving in to Trump’s wishes.
“This is quite appalling!” Roy yelled angrily while standing among Democrats and pointed out several of his Republican mates.
There’s also criticism of Speaker Johnson’s leadership during the address. Johnson is at risk in light of Trump’s predictions; he’s got an election coming up in January that will be tough for him because he’s already a speaker.
A Glimpse at What Washington Will Look Like Under the Control of Trump
The failed vote hints at problems that Congress would likely have to deal with when Trump resumes his position with both chambers of Congress being Republican-dominated. Also, his history of threatening government shutdowns is not comforting at all, especially in light of the holiday season of Christmas 2018.
Rep. Steve Womack, a senior Republican appropriator, said, “Let me caution you that this is a preview of the turbulence ahead.”
Democrats, however, seem in no mood to rescue Johnson from the aftermath, with Jefferies describing it as “a self-inflicted crisis.”
What Happens Next
With the Friday deadline coming closer, Johnson has to try and come up with a fresh proposal that would win over Trump without completely pushing away moderate Republicans or Democrats. Trump’s visions of a new conservative agenda appear to be gaining traction with each passing hour given how little time remains.
“This is not governance,” Clark said. “This is chaos, and Americans will be the ones to bear the cost.”
