House Fails To Pass Spending Bill That Would Avert Shutdown

CNN

On Thursday night, the House of Representatives failed to pass a spending bill to keep the federal government funded beyond Dec. 21. The vote was 174-235, with 38 Republicans voting against.

Passage required approval from two-thirds of voting members because Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) fast-tracked the legislation by bypassing the House Rules Committee.

Hours earlier, President-elect Donald Trump urged Republicans to vote in favor of the 116-page piece of legislation.

“Speaker Mike Johnson and the House have come to a very good Deal for the American People,” he 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.”

The day before, House Republicans junked a 1,547-page bill introduced that would have averted a Christmastime shutdown by keeping the government funded through March 14. Elon Musk had fired off a series of tweets – often factually incorrect – slamming the bill early Wednesday morning. That was followed by CNN reporting that Trump privately called the bill “bad.” Finally, Trump issued multiple statements opposing the bill and threatening primaries for Republicans who voted for it.

Additionally, the president-elect demanded the House include a provision to raise or abolish the debt ceiling, which limits the amount of money the federal government may borrow.

As the House voted on the measure, Johnson addressed reporters but did not take questions.