Congress Passes Budget Deal After Turbulent Spending Fight

House Republicans, under pressure from Trump and Musk, faced internal divisions before averting a government shutdown without raising the debt ceiling.

President-elect Donald Trump and Elon Musk opposed an initial bipartisan spending deal, calling it excessive and demanding a debt ceiling hike.
House Speaker Mike Johnson abandoned the bipartisan agreement to appease Trump, leading to internal GOP disagreements and legislative delays.
A revised budget bill passed with bipartisan support, excluding Trump’s demand to raise or suspend the debt ceiling, and avoided a holiday-season shutdown.
The episode highlighted fractures within the GOP, with 38 Republicans voting against Trump’s preferred plan and concerns over his influence on Congress next year.
The final deal, signed by President Biden, provided disaster relief funding but underscored challenges for Republicans in balancing fiscal conservatism with Trump’s agenda.