A potential government shutdown has been averted, at least temporarily, as House Republicans have reached a new spending deal following significant pushback against the initial proposal. The revised agreement extends government funding at current levels for three months and suspends the debt limit for two years, a move championed by President-elect Trump.
The deal also incorporates aid for farmers, substantial disaster relief funds for those affected by recent hurricanes, and certain healthcare provisions. Notably absent are the controversial reforms to the Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) system.
The initial funding plan, significantly larger in scope, was met with strong opposition from conservative figures like Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, who criticized the inclusion of what they considered extraneous measures and policy riders. Musk notably called for the removal of any Republican supporting the original bill. This led to a scramble for a 'clean' continuing resolution (CR), further complicated by Trump's insistence on linking the CR with action on the debt ceiling.
The new, streamlined 116-page bill represents a stark contrast to the original 1,547-page version. While President-elect Trump praised the revised deal, its fate remains uncertain. Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas), a key figure in the opposition to the initial plan, has voiced strong disapproval, citing concerns about increased debt and government spending. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) also dismissed the proposal as "not serious" and "laughable."
The House is expected to vote on the new bill soon, potentially as early as Thursday evening. The original bill included provisions for revitalizing RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C., year-round ethanol fuel sales, and the first congressional pay raise since 2009. These provisions appear to have been removed from the revised agreement. The looming $36 trillion national debt and a national deficit exceeding $1 trillion continue to be major concerns.
