President-elect Donald Trump will encounter significant challenges at the start of his presidency due to a spending bill passed to prevent a government shutdown. The Senate passed this bill, allowing government operations to continue until March 14, 2025, after the House had approved it the night before. Trump’s administration must address a new funding deadline and the debt limit, alongside confirming his cabinet members in the Senate.
The House extended budget agreements previously made with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and President Joe Biden. All Democrats supported the bill, with 196 voting in favor and only one voting present. Among Republicans, 170 voted for it while 34 opposed it, with 15 lawmakers absent. The bill's approval followed Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance intervening when an earlier proposal was falling apart, pushing to remove unnecessary spending and adding provisions related to the debt limit, which needs to be resolved by mid-2025.
Sen. Ron Johnson criticized the decision to postpone funding discussions until March 2025, calling it a "mistake" and "kind of stupid. " Representative Andy Barr emphasized the need for House Republicans to communicate effectively with the incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune. He stressed the importance of clear communication between House factions and with the administration. While some Republicans like Rep. Derrick Van Orden felt optimistic about collaboration, Sen. Johnson acknowledged the daunting task ahead, stating there is "a big mess on our hands. "
He expressed caution, planning to "underpromise and hopefully overdeliver" as the administration faces these significant hurdles.
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