The Hitchhiker’s Guide to What Happened to the Interim Spending Bill

The 1,547-page interim spending bill to avoid a government shutdown is effectively dead. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has all but yanked the plan off the floor after President-elect Trump, Vice President-elect Vance, and Elon Musk torched the package to avoid a government shutdown this weekend and fund the government through March 14.

The stopgap spending package proved unpopular due to its size, and various legislative ornaments festooned on the bill like a Christmas tree. Conservatives were expecting Johnson to handle the spending plan differently this year at the holidays. But it backfired. Badly.

President-elect Donald Trump’s last-minute demand for a debt ceiling increase further complicated the situation. Johnson’s decision to veer off course underscores the challenges that lie ahead once President-elect Trump takes office.

The move to pull the bill was driven by grassroots pressure, sparked by Musk and amplified by the President-elect. Johnson’s decision was also influenced by the upcoming Speaker’s vote on January 3, where he needs 218 votes to secure a majority and retain his position.

With the deadline looming, the question now is what play Johnson will make next. Will he opt for a clean CR to fund the government with nothing attached, or will he consider a bill that re-ups current funding coupled with disaster aid or a debt ceiling suspension as requested by President-elect Trump?

The challenge lies in garnering enough support, especially without the backing of Democrats. Johnson faces opposition from conservative members who are against any CR or debt ceiling increase. The clock is ticking, and any delay in passing a new bill could trigger a government shutdown.

President-elect Trump’s intervention in the spending bill echoes a similar move he made in December 2019, which led to the longest government shutdown in history. The current situation mirrors that event, with uncertainty looming over whether a new bill can be passed before the deadline.

In this high-stakes political drama, Johnson must navigate through the competing interests and demands to find a solution that can avert a government shutdown. The coming days will be crucial in determining the fate of the spending bill and the government’s financial future.