Outgoing Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) on Wednesday night after President-elect Trump threw year-end spending discussions into disarray by opposing a stopgap spending bill negotiated by Congressional leaders. , quipped that Republicans could be in further turmoil next year.
Shortly after President Trump urged Republicans to break the deal between House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) and the Senate, McConnell said, “Well, this is what's going to happen next year.'' '' he told a CNN reporter. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York and other Congressional leaders.
Senate Republicans are bracing for a roller-coaster year in 2025, when President Trump takes the White House and the next speaker tries to manage a one- to three-seat majority in the House.
President Trump appeared to derail a 1,500-page short-term funding bill that Congress was trying to pass by Friday, when he and Vice President-elect Vance told lawmakers that they should replace it with language that would raise the debt ceiling. He urged them to pass a combined clean continuance resolution.
Democratic senators said Trump's late entry into the spending debate comes just two days before the Dec. 20 deadline by which Congress must pass a stopgap funding bill to avert a government shutdown. expressed dissatisfaction.
“Chairman Johnson needs to get his story together. The American people are counting on us. This is not the Christmas present of a government shutdown that the American people deserve,” said Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.). said.
Some Republicans said there was no chance Democrats would agree to raise the debt ceiling, which is expected to expire next summer.
“If I were Mr. Schumer,” Sen. Thom Tillis, R-S.C., said, “I think if I were Mr. Schumer, why would he do something just because someone asked for something and he didn't have any influence or interest in it?” I don't know if I'll accept it.” C.).
But other Republican senators say they are prepared to vote against the deal Johnson negotiated if it reaches the Senate, even if they want to pass some disaster relief package before Christmas. said.
“We have a better chance of actually supporting a clean CR than we have in the past, and I have already told leadership that I will not vote for that bill,” said Sen. Mike Rounds, R.S. D.) referred to the 1,500-page agreement announced late Tuesday.
“I’m happy to see a clean CR, as long as I can include some supplements as well.” [funds] For people in the south who are in flooded areas,” he added.
Republican senators said Wednesday they want to avoid a government shutdown just before Trump takes office.
“I think it's extremely foolish to shut down the government,” said Sen. John Kennedy (R-Louisiana).
President Kennedy said he would vote for a clean stopgap measure to fund the government for next year, but he insisted it should include disaster relief.
Senate Democrats said Wednesday night that it would be “foolish” and “unrealistic” to expect them to agree to raise the debt ceiling just days before Christmas, when there has been no debate on the issue so far.
Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) called Trump's demands “stupid,” while Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) acknowledged they were “above my pay grade.” However, he said it was “pretty unrealistic.”
The party, which does not control the White House, has in recent years demanded significant concessions in exchange for raising the debt ceiling.
