Despite a looming government shutdown, the U.S. military will maintain its defense responsibilities, though personnel will go unpaid until Congress approves new funding. This includes active-duty military, reservists, and federal civilian employees. Failure to reach a funding agreement will severely disrupt Department of Defense operations. A last-minute deal between House Speaker Johnson and Democrats fell apart due to opposition from President-elect Trump and Elon Musk.
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President-elect Trump unexpectedly rejected a bipartisan plan to avert a government shutdown, demanding renegotiation days before the funding deadline. This rejection, fueled by Trump and Elon Musk’s opposition, sent Congress into chaos, jeopardizing a bill including $100.4 billion in disaster aid and a congressional pay raise. House Republicans, facing pressure from Trump and facing internal divisions, struggled to craft a new solution before the Friday deadline. The situation highlights the difficulty Republicans will face in governing with unified control and their dependence on Trump’s approval for legislative success. The rejected bill also included provisions for infrastructure projects and the transfer of land for a potential new stadium.
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The upcoming 118th Congress will mark the first time since the 114th Congress without women leading House committees, a notable absence given that two female chairs currently serve. While Republican leadership has announced committee assignments, the lack of female representation reflects a broader gender gap, with fewer women in Congress than at any point in 46 years. This development is attributed to insufficient female representation within the Republican party itself and potentially influenced by the 2024 election’s focus on masculine cultural themes. The only woman who actively sought a chair position was unsuccessful.
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John Q. Hosedrinker