US House Averts Government Shutdown in Last-Minute Deal

The US House of Representatives narrowly averted a government shutdown, passing a funding bill just hours before the deadline. Democrats and Republicans united to pass the measure, which will keep federal agencies running through mid-March.

Senate Now Holds the Key

The bill, now headed to the Senate, faces a tighter timeline. The upper chamber only has until midnight local time to approve the funding package or face a shutdown. If the Senate fails to act, non-essential government operations will grind to a halt, potentially furloughing up to 875,000 workers and impacting 1.4 million others who would be required to work without pay.

Political Tensions Fuel Shutdown Threat

The last-minute deal comes after a period of intense political maneuvering. Despite House Speaker Mike Johnson’s efforts, negotiations stumbled as Republican President-elect Donald Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk, tapped as his “efficiency czar,” pressured the party to reject a funding agreement previously reached with Democrats.

Mr. Musk’s influence over Republicans, particularly through his platform X, has drawn criticism from Democrats who question his role in shaping policy as an unelected individual.

“Now, he has influence, and he’ll put pressure on us to do whatever he thinks is right for him. But I have 760,000 people that voted for me to do the right thing for them,” one Republican lawmaker stated.

Bipartisan Agreement Reached

The House-passed bill ultimately avoids a shutdown by funding the government through mid-March. It includes critical provisions such as $110 billion (€105 billion) in disaster aid and financial relief for farmers.

Key Republican demands for a two-year suspension of the country’s self-imposed borrowing limit, previously championed by Mr. Trump, were ultimately dropped from the package.

Senate Action Looming

Although a bipartisan agreement on a funding bill has been achieved in the House, the Senate’s expected approval could take days due to procedural requirements. Mr. Trump has declared his willingness to accept a government shutdown if his demands are not met.

“If there is going to be a shutdown of government, let it begin now, under the Biden Administration,” he stated on social media.

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