A spending bill backed by Donald Trump failed in the US House of Representatives as dozens of Republicans defied the president-elect, leaving Congress with no clear plan to avert a fast-approaching government shutdown that could disrupt Christmas travel.
The vote laid bare fault lines in Mr Trump’s Republican Party that could surface again next year when they control the White House and both chambers of Congress.
Mr Trump had pressured politicians to tie up loose ends before he takes office on 20 January, but members of the party’s right flank refused to support a package that would increase spending and clear the way for a plan that would add trillions more…