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The government is likely headed for a partial shutdown ahead of the holidays after a last-ditch effort supported by President Donald Trump was rejected Thursday night.
Democratic Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries criticized the Republican update of the plan ahead of his party rejecting the deal.
“The… proposal is not serious, it’s laughable. Extreme MAGA Republicans are driving us to a government shutdown,” Jeffries said ahead of the vote. The White House described it as a “giveaway for billionaires.”
Trump celebrated “success” in Washington in his support of the American Relief Act of 2024 Thursday ahead of the vote, as the slimmed down bill sought to avert a pending government shutdown while addressing concerns with the nation’s debt ceiling, among other issues.
“SUCCESS in Washington!” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post. “Speaker Mike Johnson and the House have come to a very good Deal for the American People. The newly agreed to American Relief Act of 2024 will keep the Government open, fund our Great Farmers and others, and provide relief for those severely impacted by the devastating hurricanes.”
Trump noted that the new legislation pushes out the debt ceiling until 2027, offering space to negotiate his new plans for the nation upon entering office.
“A VERY important piece, VITAL to the America First Agenda, was added as well – The date of the very unnecessary Debt Ceiling will be pushed out two years, to January 30, 2027. Now we can Make America Great Again, very quickly, which is what the People gave us a mandate to accomplish,” he noted.
Trump concluded with a call for both parties to unite in supporting the act.
“All Republicans, and even the Democrats, should do what is best for our Country, and vote ‘YES’ for this Bill, TONIGHT!” Trump stated.
A shutdown is now almost certain, meaning the closure of federal agencies and potentially sending federal workers home before Christmas without pay.
President Joe Biden’s spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre said the the White House remains hopeful for a solution and “supports the bipartisan agreement to keep the government open… not this giveaway for billionaires that Republicans are proposing at the 11th hour.”
