Trump brings Congress to a halt with new demands on spending as shutdown looms [View all]
President-elect Donald Trump delivered a missive to Capitol Hill on Wednesday that significantly ratcheted up the chances of a government shutdown just before Christmas, while sending the clearest signal yet that he is seeking a dramatic showdown with Democrats over spending.
Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance on Wednesday sharply criticized a deal to fund the federal government until March 14 that was negotiated by Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson, undermining support for the plan across Capitol Hill just days away from a shutdown deadline.
Trump and Vance slammed the bill for including what they see as Democratic priorities but also injected the politically fraught issue of the US debt limit, which the country is on track to hit after it is reinstated in the new year.
Republicans want to support our farmers, pay for disaster relief, and set our country up for success in 2025, Trump and Vance said in a statement. The only way to do that is with a temporary funding bill WITHOUT DEMOCRAT GIVEAWAYS combined with an increase in the debt ceiling. Anything else is a betrayal of our country.