The U.S. House of Representatives has rejected a funding measure backed by Donald Trump, moving the government closer to a potential shutdown this weekend.
The revised spending plan failed to secure the two-thirds majority required in the House, with 38 Republicans breaking ranks and voting against the bill on Thursday night, despite Trump’s support.
Trump had previously derailed a bipartisan funding agreement brokered by Republican House leaders and Democrats following sharp criticism from tech billionaire Elon Musk.
The bill, which was defeated by a vote of 174 to 235, would have tied government funding to a two-year suspension of the federal debt limit, allowing the government to borrow more to cover its expenses.
Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson vowed to propose a new solution on Friday before funding expires at midnight.
The Trump-endorsed plan faced resistance from Republican dissenters who opposed increased government spending, while Democrats objected to the additional borrowing, arguing it would primarily benefit the wealthy through tax cuts.
Five key facts about the potential government shutdown:
1. How We Got Here
The looming government shutdown traces back to September, when another budget deadline was approaching.
House Speaker Mike Johnson failed to pass a six-month funding extension, largely due to Democratic opposition. The extension included the SAVE Act, which would have required proof of citizenship for voting.
Instead, Congress reached a bipartisan agreement on a bare-bones bill to fund the government through December 20. At the time, Johnson assured his Republican colleagues that they wouldn’t have to vote on a comprehensive, last-minute spending package before the holiday recess.
However, when congressional leaders unveiled the latest spending proposal on Tuesday—just three days before lawmakers were set to break for the holidays—it spanned 1,547 pages.
The bill would have extended government funding until March 14, nearly three months after Trump’s anticipated return to the White House. It also included over $110 billion in emergency disaster relief, $30 billion in aid to farmers, the first lawmaker pay raise since 2009, federal funds to rebuild a collapsed bridge in Baltimore, healthcare reforms, and measures to curb deceptive advertising by hotels and event venues.
Some Republicans criticized Johnson for abandoning a simpler funding proposal, condemning the inclusion of left-leaning provisions negotiated to gain Democratic support. Johnson defended the deal, citing “acts of God,” like natural disasters and the need for agricultural aid, as reasons for the additional provisions.
2. Trump and Musk Derail Bipartisan Plan
Opposition to Johnson’s spending deal escalated significantly on Wednesday, fueled by Donald Trump and Elon Musk.
Musk, whom Trump had tapped to co-lead the Department of Government Efficiency—a non-official advisory role focused on identifying spending cuts—used his platform on X (formerly Twitter) to campaign against the deal.
Labeling the spending bill as “criminal,” Musk posted dozens of messages, many of which included false claims about the legislation. He urged voters to hold lawmakers accountable, stating that any representative who supported the bill “deserves to be voted out in two years.”
This lobbying effort amplified resistance to the deal within Congress.
Later that evening, Trump and incoming Vice President JD Vance issued a joint statement that effectively ended support for Johnson’s proposal. They demanded streamlined legislation stripped of the Democratic-backed provisions Johnson had included to secure bipartisan support.
Additionally, they called on Congress to raise or eliminate the federal debt ceiling, allowing the government to borrow more funds, and to restrict the funding package to temporary spending measures and disaster relief.
They condemned any broader deal as “a betrayal of our country.”
3. What Happens Next
On Thursday, Johnson and House Republicans introduced a streamlined spending bill, which failed to pass later that evening. With no clear path forward, the next steps remain uncertain.
Lawmakers are not expected to vote again until Friday morning, leaving less than 24 hours before a potential government shutdown.
The partisan blame game is already in full swing. After the bill’s defeat, Johnson expressed frustration, calling it “very disappointing” that nearly every House Democrat voted against it. “It is, I think, really irresponsible for us to risk a shutdown over these issues—on things they have already agreed upon,” he said.
To pass a new funding bill, Johnson will likely need Democratic support, as divisions within his own party over the legislation became evident throughout the week. However, Democrats appear unwilling to cooperate after Johnson abandoned their bipartisan agreement.
“You break the bipartisan agreement, you own the consequences that follow,” Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries posted on X, the platform owned by Elon Musk.
Some Democrats even mocked the Republican reliance on Musk’s influence. On the House floor, Representative Rosa DeLauro, the top Democratic appropriator, referred to the billionaire as “President Musk,” drawing laughter from her colleagues. “President Musk said, ‘Don’t do it. Shut the government down,'” she quipped.
Despite the tensions, Johnson must find a way to win over Democrats to pass a spending bill, particularly as frustration within his own caucus continues to grow.
Time is running out, and such negotiations typically take weeks—not hours.
4. The Impact of a Government Shutdown
Federal agencies depend on annual funding to operate. When Congress fails to pass the 12 appropriations bills that comprise the federal budget, these agencies are forced to suspend non-essential activities.
Essential services such as border protection, in-hospital medical care, law enforcement, and air traffic control continue to function. However, many federal employees may have to work without pay until funding is restored.
Social Security and Medicare payments will still be distributed, but processes like benefit verification and card issuance will be halted. While the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) has mandatory funding, a prolonged shutdown could disrupt food stamp benefits and delay similar assistance programs.
Some agencies cease operations entirely during a shutdown. For example, the Food and Drug Administration suspends food safety inspections, the Environmental Protection Agency stops environmental inspections, and National Parks close to visitors.
5. The Fallout for Republicans
The failed spending bill marks a significant test of Donald Trump’s sway over congressional Republicans, and Thursday’s vote revealed cracks in that influence as many GOP lawmakers dissented.
The situation also poses a serious challenge for Speaker Mike Johnson. In just 15 days, the House will vote on who will serve as Speaker for the next Congress—a position that once seemed secure for Johnson but now appears uncertain.
Under pressure from Trump and Elon Musk, Johnson faces scrutiny from his own party over his handling of government funding. Several Republicans have already signaled they won’t support his bid to retain the speakership. With a narrow five-seat majority in the next Congress, Johnson cannot afford to lose much Republican support.
The threat to his leadership is amplified by the GOP’s recent history of internal divisions.
In January 2023, Kevin McCarthy, a California Republican, endured 15 rounds of voting before securing the speakership. Less than a year later, he was ousted by his own party members, who criticized his compromises with Democrats to prevent a government shutdown and his failure to significantly cut spending.
Johnson now faces a similar dilemma as he navigates growing discontent within his caucus