WASHINGTON — U.S. House Democrats revealed early Thursday the potential financial losses in federal disaster aid for each state if Republicans exclude it from a stopgap spending bill. This bill has faced opposition from both their own members and President-elect Donald Trump. The breakdown, detailing almost $100 billion in aid, follows Trump’s and allies like Elon Musk’s calls for the GOP to abandon a bipartisan year-end spending package.
The short-term spending bill needs to pass before Friday midnight to prevent a partial government shutdown, which would delay paychecks for federal employees and U.S. troops during the holiday season. States affected by natural disasters like California, Texas, and Florida risk losing over $2 billion each; larger states could lose above $10 billion.
Misinformation over pay raise
The stalemate over the spending bill started after the 1,547-page package was released Tuesday evening. Speaker Mike Johnson defended its components, stressing the need for disaster aid and farmer assistance. However, the package includes unrelated items like year-round sales of E15 gasoline and removal of a pay raise block for Congress members.
False information about a possible pay hike for lawmakers circulated online, gaining traction after Musk’s government shutdown advocacy. Lawmakers could get a 3.8% raise, increasing their salary from $174,000 to $180,600, according to a Congressional Research Service report.
Sudden debt limit demand
The full package allowed Congress until March 14 to negotiate crucial funding bills. Republicans aimed to delay full-year bills until potential unified government control next year. Trump urged lawmakers to include the debt limit in talks, with little time left before the shutdown. His preference is to avoid debt limit debates in his upcoming term, suggesting Congress should eliminate it entirely, a significant shift from the GOP’s usual stance.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer criticized GOP infighting, warning it risks an unnecessary shutdown. “Unfortunately, it seems Republicans are in shambles over in the House,” Schumer said. “The only way to get things done is through bipartisanship.”
Jeffries urges vote on stopgap
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, while not ruling out voting for a reduced stopgap bill, called for GOP leaders to adhere to the negotiated version. “This reckless Republican-driven shutdown can be avoided if House Republicans will simply do what is right for the American people and stick with the bipartisan agreement that they themselves negotiated,” Jeffries stated.
Jeffries also mentioned Democrats would not support Johnson for speaker if GOP members oppose him, citing dissatisfaction with the spending bill. Republicans will have a narrow majority next year, potentially leading to another prolonged speaker race.
Musk for speaker?
Marjorie Taylor Greene has suggested considering Musk for speaker, highlighting dissatisfaction with current leadership. “The establishment needs to be shattered just like it was yesterday,” Greene shared on social media.
This report includes updated state-by-state figures from U.S. House Democrats.
Last updated 11:32 a.m., Dec. 19, 2024
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