House GOP leaders are currently seeking alternative strategies after a bipartisan agreement meant to prevent a partial government shutdown met strong pushback from conservative lawmakers. The proposed legislation stirred discontent among conservative representatives in both the House and Senate, including Elon Musk, who was appointed by President-elect Trump to assist in improving government efficiency.
Musk expressed his dissatisfaction, suggesting that representatives who supported the bill should face political consequences. In a joint statement, Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance publicly voiced their opposition to the deal.
Originally scheduled for a vote on Wednesday afternoon, the plan was halted, leaving senior Republicans to brainstorm new options just a day after the bill’s introduction. Representative Anna Paulina Luna from Florida indicated reporters that a new continuing resolution (CR) is likely to be presented soon.
Meanwhile, Rep. Andy Barr from Kentucky anticipated that this new CR would be stripped of disaster aid and farmer subsidies, following criticisms from within the party regarding Johnson’s management of the legislation. The bill aimed to extend government funding while allowing more discussions on the federal budget.
This particular CR was designed to extend funding through March while also providing over $100 billion in disaster relief due to recent hurricanes and $10 billion for agricultural assistance. Nevertheless, members of the conservative House Freedom Caucus expressed frustration over what they perceived as unrelated provisions being added in last-minute discussions.
As the situation evolves, some lawmakers speculate that Johnson could face opposition in his speakership bid due to this backlash. Still, Johnson defended the proposal during an interview, reminding viewers that the current GOP holds limited control over the government, facing opposition from both the Senate and the White House.
Critics including Musk voiced their opinions online, suggesting that any member voting for the spending bill should be held accountable in the future. Trump and Vance urged Republicans to consider a plan where a CR is linked to increasing the U.S. debt limit instead of the proposed deal.
With countdown to the potential shutdown looming, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has warned that any failure to uphold bipartisanship would have repercussions. As negotiations continue, it remains uncertain how many Democrats might join in support against rising GOP opposition, making the process of passing a new budget more complex. House leaders must decide how to move forward in the most effective way before the end-of-week deadline.
