Congress was on the verge of passing a bill to continue funding the federal government and provide over $1 billion in disaster aid to New Mexico before the Christmas deadline. However, negotiations were derailed by President-elect Donald Trump and tech mogul Elon Musk. The deadline to pass a government funding extension was Friday, but Trump and Musk pressured House Republicans to renegotiate the deal, causing delays.
New Mexico, which has many federal employees and residents who rely on federal assistance programs, would be particularly affected by a government shutdown. Essential agencies like the Border Patrol and Transportation Security Administration would continue to operate, but national parks and monuments would close, and Defense Department civilian employees would be sent home.
A new version of the spending bill was brought to the floor for a vote, but it failed to pass on Thursday night. It included measures from the original bill, such as extending the Farm Bill and a $110 billion disaster relief package. However, it also suspended the nation’s debt limit until January 2027, and stripped out provisions for healthcare and research programs that were initially included.
President Joe Biden opposed the new GOP version of the bill, while Trump urged support for it on social media. The future of the legislation remains uncertain, with negotiations ongoing and a potential government shutdown looming.
The last government shutdown occurred during Trump’s first administration in 2018-2019 and lasted over 30 days. The current situation is a reminder of the challenges of achieving bipartisan agreements in a divided political landscape.
Source
Photo credit www.yahoo.com
