Trump Faces Setback as Plan B Spending Bill Fails in House
President-elect Trump faced a significant setback on Thursday as House Republicans failed to secure the necessary majority votes on a spending bill aimed at preventing a government shutdown by the end of the week. The bill, which needed a two-thirds majority to pass, fell short by a vote of 235-174, with 38 Republicans breaking ranks to vote against it.
Rep. Chip Roy Takes a Stand
Among those Republicans who opposed the bill was Rep. Chip Roy of Texas, who delivered a scathing speech on the House floor criticizing the funding legislation. Roy expressed concerns about the bill adding $5 trillion to the national debt, going against the GOP’s principles of fiscal responsibility. He called out his fellow Republicans who supported the measure, accusing them of lacking self-respect.
“I am absolutely sickened by a party that campaigns on fiscal responsibility and has the temerity to go forward to the American people and say you think this is fiscally responsible,” Roy stated. His strong stance highlighted the internal divisions within the Republican Party and the challenges facing President-elect Trump in rallying support for his agenda.
Democrats Push Back
The failure of the spending bill also drew criticism from Democrats, who had already signaled their opposition to the legislation. Minority leaders denounced Trump and other influencers for interfering in the process and derailing the initial bipartisan spending deal. Ahead of the vote on the new bill, Democrats united in chants of “hell no,” signaling their discontent with the proposed legislation.
Speaker Johnson’s Response
Following the bill’s defeat, Speaker Mike Johnson immediately began strategizing with House Republicans who had voted against the measure. Johnson expressed disappointment in the Democrats’ rejection of the bill, emphasizing their refusal to support aid for farmers, disaster relief, and other bipartisan initiatives included in the legislation. He underscored the importance of addressing the debt ceiling issue responsibly and called for bipartisan cooperation to prevent a government shutdown.
Breanne Deppisch, a politics reporter for Fox News Digital, provides insightful coverage of the political landscape and the challenges facing lawmakers in Washington. Her in-depth analysis sheds light on the complexities of government funding and the competing interests at play in the current political climate.