Bloated Stopgap Bill Appears ‘Dead’ Amid Blowback

Less than 24 hours after a stopgap bill to avert a government shutdown that was packed with add-ons was unveiled, the measure appears to have been stopped in its tracks in the face of opposition.

House members were notified on Wednesday evening that no votes were expected to happen for the rest of the day following an earlier advisory that suggested they were possible.

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) shared on X the continuing resolution (CR) would not be coming to the House floor for a vote and negotiators were “re-working” the legislation.

Congressional leaders revealed the initial CR on Tuesday. It sought to provide funds to the federal government through March 14, 2025, and allocate more than $100 billion in disaster aid.

The CR also had provisions geared toward boosting farmers, health care reform, rebuilding Maryland’s devastated Francis Scott Key Bridge, creating a pay raise for Congress, and more.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) emphasized during a Fox News interview that he has to contend with a Democrat-led Senate until next year as well as a “razor-thin” majority in the House.

CHECK OUT THE DAILY WIRE HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

“We are setting up for Trump to come in roaring back with the America First agenda. That’s what we’re going to run with gusto” when the GOP takes control of the Senate, he added.

But a growing chorus of lawmakers voiced opposition to the 1,547-page CR, many of them Republicans. Elon Musk and President-elect Donald Trump also condemned the bill.

RELATED: Elon Musk Urges Congress To Not Pass Any More Bills Until Trump Takes Office

Trump said in a statement with Sen. JD Vance (R-OH), the VP-elect, that Congress should pass a temporary funding bill only if it comes with a debt ceiling increase, and no “DEMOCRAT GIVEAWAYS.”

Lawmakers have until midnight on Friday to pass some kind of legislation to fund various facets of the federal government, or a government shutdown could happen.

“House Republicans have been ordered to shut down the government,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) said in a post to X when it became clear the CR was in trouble.

“And hurt the working class Americans they claim to support,” the top Democrat continued. “You break the bipartisan agreement, you own the consequences that follow.”

A divided Congress has leaned on multiple CRs in recent years, including last September, when lawmakers failed to agree on spending bills under the normal appropriations process.

Musk, who is slated to help lead the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under the second Trump administration, celebrated the apparent demise of the latest CR.

“Your elected representatives have heard you and now the terrible bill is dead. The voice of the people has triumphed!” he said in a post to X, adding, “VOX POPULI” and “VOX DEI.”