In a nail-biter straight out of a political thriller 📜, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a stopgap funding bill Friday night—just hours before a government shutdown would’ve frozen federal operations. The bill, approved 366-34, extends government spending at current levels until mid-March, buying lawmakers time to negotiate a longer-term deal. All 34 'no' votes came from Republicans.
Trump’s Late-Game Play ⏳
The drama started when former President Donald Trump urged Republicans to reject a bipartisan proposal, demanding a 'streamlined' bill without Democratic priorities. His push for debt ceiling changes threw the original plan into chaos, forcing GOP leaders to scramble for a Plan B. The revised bill, stripped of certain policies but including $100B in disaster relief and $10B for farmers, initially failed Thursday due to opposition from both Democrats and conservatives.
Midnight Deal Saves the Day 🌙
With the shutdown clock ticking ⏰, House Speaker Mike Johnson and Democratic leaders struck a last-minute compromise. The final version extends the debt limit until 2027 (per Trump’s request) while avoiding major partisan landmines. It’s the latest chapter in Congress’ recurring budget drama—a cycle fueled by polarization and missed deadlines. Remember that temporary funding patch passed in September? Yeah, this is déjà vu… but with higher stakes.
