The Senate passed a continuing resolution (CR) to fund the government through March 14th by a vote of 85-11, averting a government shutdown. The bill, also passed by the House 366-34, includes $100 billion in disaster aid and a one-year farm bill. This legislation omits a debt limit extension initially demanded by President-elect Trump, a demand that ultimately led to several failed attempts at compromise. Republicans, in response, agreed to substantial spending cuts and a potential debt limit increase via reconciliation next year.
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House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries’s blunt rejection of a debt ceiling demand from Donald Trump – a simple “hard pass” – encapsulates the deep political chasm currently dividing Washington. The statement underscores a stark refusal by Democrats to be complicit in what they perceive as a Republican power grab.
This forceful dismissal highlights a fundamental disagreement over fiscal responsibility and governance. The underlying issue revolves around whether Republicans, now poised to control Congress and potentially the presidency, should be allowed to unilaterally dictate fiscal policy without Democratic input, particularly regarding such a critical issue as the debt ceiling.
Jeffries’s “hard pass” suggests a belief that Republicans should be held accountable for their actions.… Continue reading
The House rejected President-elect Trump’s revised government funding plan, which included disaster relief and a debt ceiling suspension until January 30, 2027, by a vote of 174-235. This new proposal, championed by Trump and Speaker Johnson, significantly reduced the original bill’s size and eliminated provisions such as a congressional pay raise, following pressure from Elon Musk. The rejection constitutes a major setback for Trump and Johnson, who faced intense pressure from Trump to pass a revised bill before the government shutdown deadline of midnight Friday. The failure to pass the bill leaves the government facing a shutdown.
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President-elect Trump unexpectedly opposed the bipartisan government funding bill, urging Republicans to reject it and instead negotiate a slimmer version, excluding many add-ons. He further demanded that Congress raise the debt ceiling immediately, rather than waiting until next year as planned, creating a significant hurdle just days before a potential government shutdown. This action sparked immediate criticism from Democrats and some Republicans who championed disaster relief funds within the original bill. The dispute centers around the size and scope of the spending bill, with Trump and allies advocating for a more austere approach.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood