US funding plan collapses as Trump makes demands days before shutdown

Donald Trump Rejects Bipartisan Plan, Urges GOP to Renegotiate Government Shutdown Deal

On Wednesday, former President Donald Trump threw a wrench into the ongoing negotiations to prevent a government shutdown, abruptly rejecting a bipartisan plan designed to extend federal funding before the looming Friday deadline. Instead, Trump urged House Speaker Mike Johnson and Republican lawmakers to renegotiate the deal.

With the federal government’s funding set to expire on Friday, Congress is racing to pass a short-term spending bill before lawmakers head home for the holidays. The plan that Trump rejected would have extended funding through March 14, 2024, providing temporary relief to avoid a shutdown.

Trump’s sudden intervention sent shockwaves through the Capitol, throwing Congress into disarray. Speaker Johnson was forced to scramble into the late hours of the night to regroup with fellow Republicans. The unexpected move by Trump has further complicated the already tense negotiations.

In a morning interview with NBC News, Trump called on Congress to eliminate the "debt ceiling," the legal cap on the amount of money the U.S. Treasury can borrow to meet the country’s financial obligations. Historically, this proposal has garnered more support from Democrats than Republicans, but Trump’s remarks add a new layer of complexity to the ongoing fiscal debates.

As the clock ticks down to the shutdown deadline, all eyes are now on Capitol Hill to see how Congress will respond to Trump’s latest demands and whether they can reach a deal in time to avert a government shutdown. 

Key Points:

• Donald Trump rejects a bipartisan plan to prevent a government shutdown before Friday’s deadline.
• The plan would have extended funding through March 14, 2024, but Trump urges Republicans to renegotiate.
• Trump's comments send Congress into turmoil, with House Speaker Mike Johnson working late to address the situation.
• Trump also calls for the elimination of the debt ceiling, a proposal typically supported by Democrats.
• Congress races to pass a short-term spending bill before the government shutdown begins.

This latest development adds uncertainty to the already tense negotiations in Washington, as lawmakers continue to search for a solution to avoid a government shutdown before the holiday break.