The December 2024 government shutdown standoff highlighted President-elect Donald Trump’s challenges in rallying Republican support in Congress, marking an early test of his influence as he prepares to re-enter the White House.
Trump initially derailed a bipartisan government funding bill with support from Elon Musk, then proposed a new plan tying a stripped-down funding bill to a debt-limit increase. This faced resistance from congressional conservatives opposed to unconditioned debt increases and skepticism from Democrats and moderate Republicans.
A vote on Thursday night saw 38 Republicans join Democrats in rejecting Trump’s proposal, dealing a blow to his authority. Republican leaders then reconvened on Friday to revise the strategy. The final version, removing the debt-limit provision, passed with Democratic support, avoiding a government shutdown just before Christmas.
The revised bill now heads to the Democratic-controlled Senate, where it is expected to pass. Republicans plan to address the debt limit next year, proposing spending cuts in areas like health insurance, veterans’ benefits, and food aid—a move likely to spark fierce opposition.
For now, the government remains operational until the next budget deadline in March, but the drama underscores the Republican House majority’s fragility and Trump’s limited control over his party. While Trump and Musk can obstruct legislation, uniting Republicans to pass major bills proves far more challenging.
