House Republicans regroup following failure of government funding bill

During a statement on Thursday evening, Speaker Mike Johnson announced that Republicans will “reorganize” and “devise another solution” following the failure of the government funding bill they had negotiated with President-elect Donald Trump to prevent a government shutdown.

The bill was not approved with a vote of 174-235-1, with 38 Republicans opposing it.

Johnson attributed the failure of the bill to Democrats.

“The sole discrepancy in this legislation was the extension of the debt ceiling to January 2027,” Johnson stated. “It’s worth noting that just last spring, these same Democrats criticized Republicans for holding the debt limit hostage. What has changed?”

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries praised the defeat of the bill, stating that Republicans were not committed to assisting working-class Americans.

Earlier that day, President-elect Donald Trump endorsed the agreement reached by House Republicans to fund the government until March and prevent a shutdown at the end of the week.

“All Republicans, as well as Democrats, should prioritize the best interests of our Nation and vote “YES” on this Bill, TONIGHT!” Trump shared on his Truth Social platform.

Trump highlighted that the “newly agreed upon American Relief Act of 2024 will maintain Government operations, support our Great Farmers and others, and offer aid to those severely impacted by the destructive hurricanes.”

He also mentioned that the bill would postpone the debt ceiling increase to January 2027 from June of the following year. The last time Congress raised the borrowing limit was in June 2023, with a suspension until June 2025.

“A CRUCIAL component, ESSENTIAL to the America First Agenda, has been included – The date of the unnecessary Debt Ceiling will be extended by two years, to January 30, 2027. Now we can expedite Making America Great Again, as per the mandate given to us by the People,” Trump wrote.

GOP House leaders and Vice-President-elect JD Vance aimed to satisfy both Trump’s requirement that any legislation for government funding also address the debt ceiling, as well as traditional House Republicans who oppose spending deals or debt limit increases.

Meanwhile, Democrats refused to alter the deal they had initially reached with Republicans, which was criticized by Trump and Elon Musk on Wednesday.

Jeffries labeled the latest proposal as “ridiculous” as Democrats gathered to plan their next steps.

Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin expressed uncertainty about who Democrats were negotiating with — Trump or Musk.

In response to Republicans claiming they had fulfilled their obligations and that any shutdown would be the Democrats’ responsibility, Raskin stated, “This is an unacceptable approach… Democrats will seek to salvage public welfare from the chaos imposed upon us.”

The bipartisan agreement involved extending government spending at current levels until March and including other provisions like aid for disaster victims and farmers, as well as a pay increase for members of Congress.

The situation changed on Wednesday after Musk initiated a campaign against the deal. Later that day, Trump and Vance issued a statement urging Congress to “pass a streamlined spending bill,” with the president-elect echoing Musk’s warnings of challenging any GOP member who did not comply.

Trump informed ABC News’ Jonathan Karl on Thursday morning that a government shutdown would occur unless Congress eliminated the debt ceiling or extended the borrowing limit before his inauguration.

“We will not get stuck in the debt ceiling quagmire,” he said. “Nothing will be approved unless the debt ceiling issue is resolved.”

As per current regulations, the federal government would reach its borrowing limit in early 2025, during the initial months of Trump’s second term. However, Trump emphasized the need to address it now while Joe Biden is still in office.

“Shutdowns only reflect on the sitting president,” Trump remarked.

Some Senate Republicans, including John Kennedy and Mike Rounds, expressed dissatisfaction with Johnson’s bill and commended Trump for intervening.

However, Sen. Thom Tillis, whose state was severely affected by Hurricane Helene, vowed to do everything possible to delay the passage of any government funding bill that does not include disaster relief.

Congress is facing a deadline of Friday night, when the current government funding extension expires, to pass a new one or else non-essential agencies will shut down.

Throughout Thursday, House Republicans of various affiliations were seen rotating in and out of the speaker’s office, including House Appropriations Chairman Tom Cole, Majority Whip Tom Emmer, Texas Rep. Chip Roy, and Freedom Caucus Chairman Andy Harris of Maryland.

Jeffries informed the press that including the debt limit increase in the government funding bill was “premature at best.”

“We will continue to maintain open communication to find a resolution that benefits ordinary Americans,” Jeffries stated when asked about his discussions with Johnson.

During a closed-door caucus meeting on Thursday morning, Jeffries relayed the same message to Democrats: Republicans reneged on a bipartisan deal and now need to find a way out.

“This level of chaos and dysfunction has tangible effects on hardworking individuals,” Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Fla., remarked.

Rep. Bill Keating, D-Mass., shared with ABC News that Jeffries cited President John F. Kennedy to the caucus: “Let us never negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to negotiate.”

“He explained that we kept all doors open during the negotiation. We made compromises. Most of us were not pleased with the outcome, but it’s part of the job. He assured that this approach will continue. We are open to all options, but we will not tolerate the bullying tactics of Elon Musk,” Keating said.

Rep. Brad Sherman, D-Calif., jokingly remarked, “We had an agreement. We negotiated a deal, and then Musk decided to alter the agreement. Should I call him ‘President Musk’?”

Texas Rep. Greg Casar, the new leader of the progressive caucus, also criticized Musk.

“If Elon Musk is playing the role of co-president, why doesn’t Trump just hand him the Oval Office, or Speaker Johnson should simply give Elon Musk the gavel if they want a billionaire to run the country,” Casar stated.

Although many Democrats support eliminating the debt limit in principle, members left their closed-door meeting opposed to removing it now as part of a spending agreement, emphasizing that it should be addressed separately.