Speaker Mike Johnson considers plan B as spending bill faces backlash

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) is weighing a back-up plan to prevent a government shutdown just days before the Friday deadline, as his proposed spending package faces criticism from both Republican and Democratic leaders, including President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect J.D. Vance.

The alternate strategy involves a “clean” continuing resolution (CR), which would fund the government temporarily without the additional provisions included in the 1,500-page bipartisan package Johnson negotiated. The initial package, which included disaster aid, economic assistance for farmers, and other priorities, has been slammed by hardline conservatives and Trump allies as too expansive.

Trump and Vance Slam Spending Bill

Late Wednesday, Trump and Vance issued a fiery statement criticizing the package and pushing for a slimmed-down CR combined with an immediate increase in the debt ceiling.

“Increasing the debt ceiling is not great, but we’d rather do it on Biden’s watch,” they said. “If Democrats won’t cooperate on the debt ceiling now, what makes anyone think they would do it in June during our administration? Let’s have this debate now.”

The duo called for a temporary spending bill that excludes “Democrat giveaways” while ensuring support for farmers and disaster relief. However, their statement left unanswered how those priorities would be funded under their proposed framework.

Adding to the pressure, billionaire Elon Musk, a close Trump ally, criticized the spending bill on social media. “Any lawmaker who votes for this outrageous spending bill deserves to be voted out in 2 years!” Musk posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.

A Win for Hardliners?

Switching to a clean CR would represent a victory for hardline conservatives in the House, who have voiced frustration with the current package. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) labeled it an “omnibus in disguise” and argued it failed to align with conservative priorities.

Despite the pressure from Trump and the conservative wing, Johnson has not yet scheduled a vote on the proposed CR, leaving the fate of the spending package uncertain. Politico first reported that Johnson was exploring the clean CR option.

Democratic Pushback

The move to scrap the negotiated package is encountering stiff opposition from Democrats, who secured significant victories in the deal. These include funding for infrastructure projects like the Francis Scott Key Bridge and essential disaster relief measures.

“House Republicans have been ordered to shut down the government and hurt working-class Americans they claim to support,” said House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.). “You break the bipartisan agreement, you own the consequences that follow.”

Rep. Chuy Garcia (D-Ill.) echoed Jeffries’ concerns, emphasizing the importance of emergency aid, nutrition, and health provisions in the original package. “I think it would become hugely problematic if we depart from the negotiated package,” Garcia said.

The Stakes of a Shutdown

The original bipartisan package, which Johnson helped negotiate, would fund the government at current levels through March 14, extend the farm bill for a year, and allocate $100 billion for disaster relief and $10 billion for farmers. The clean CR being considered would eliminate these provisions, focusing solely on maintaining current funding levels without additional allocations.

With the clock ticking, Johnson faces a tough decision: push forward with the original package and risk alienating Trump-aligned conservatives or switch to a clean CR and risk losing Democratic support. If the House fails to pass a funding measure, a government shutdown looms, potentially derailing bipartisan efforts to address critical issues.

As negotiations continue, all eyes are on Johnson to see if he can navigate the political landmines and avert a shutdown. For now, uncertainty reigns in Washington.