Republicans in the U.S. Congress made a third attempt to avoid a government shutdown on Friday, with only hours remaining, after two prior plans were derailed by President-elect Donald Trump and members of their own party.
Republican Representative Ralph Norman told reporters that party leaders were planning to vote on a third spending bill, although he did not provide further details.
Other Republicans stated they would not seek support from Democrats, whose backing would likely be needed to extend funding past midnight Friday (0500 GMT Saturday), when current funding expires.
“We’re not working with Democrats,” said Republican Representative Nancy Mace.
If Congress does not pass a spending bill, funding for various services, including law enforcement and national parks, will be interrupted, and millions of federal employees will go unpaid.
Authorities warned that travelers during the busy holiday season might face long lines at airports. Sources indicated that the White House has instructed government agencies to prepare for a potential shutdown. The last government shutdown, lasting 35 days, occurred during Trump’s first term due to a border security dispute.
Reports indicated that Republicans were planning multiple votes, allowing lawmakers to vote separately on parts that were previously combined. The House would vote individually on extending government funding into March, disaster aid, and expiring farm aid.
Lawmakers might also vote on raising the debt ceiling—an issue that Trump wants resolved before his inauguration on January 20.
“We have a plan,” said House Speaker Mike Johnson. “We’re expecting votes this morning.”
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said he had been in contact with Johnson but had not seen the latest Republican proposal.
This marks Johnson’s third attempt after his initial plan—a bipartisan deal negotiated with Democrats, who still control the Senate and the White House—collapsed on Wednesday due to backlash from Trump and his adviser, billionaire Elon Musk.
A second proposal, which combined government funding and disaster relief with Trump’s demand to lift the national debt ceiling, failed to pass the House on Thursday, as Democrats and 38 Republicans voted against it.
Demokratlar, Johnson’ı seçilmemiş bir milyarderin baskısına boyun eğmekle suçlarken, Cumhuriyetçi muhalifler hükümet harcamalarını artıracak ve daha fazla borcun önünü açacak bir teklife itiraz etti.
Trump, who is set to take office in one month, escalated his rhetoric overnight, calling for a five-year suspension of the U.S. debt ceiling even after the House rejected a two-year extension.
“Congress must get rid of, or extend, the ridiculous Debt Ceiling, perhaps until 2029. Without this, we should never make a deal,” Trump wrote in a social media post shortly after 1 a.m.
Previous disputes over the debt ceiling have raised concerns in financial markets, as a potential U.S. government default could trigger global credit shocks. The debt ceiling suspension agreement technically expires on January 1, though lawmakers likely wouldn’t have to address the issue until spring.
