Tensions over the impending government shutdown rose as House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., accused House Republicans of breaking a crucial bipartisan deal. The deal had been in the works to fund the government and prevent a shutdown by the end of the week but was derailed by conservative Republicans in opposition. Jeffries said from the U.S. The Capitol denounced the GOP’s failure to honor the deal, emphasizing that it was a joint effort involving Republicans and Democrats in the House and Senate.
Jeffries criticized the GOP for what he described as the reckless decision to abandon the agreement that included provisions for disaster relief, among other essential needs. He emphasized how adverse it would be to ordinary Americans, especially those suffering from the outcomes of extreme weather who were promised aid under the agreement. In a pointed statement, Jeffries declared, “An agreement is an agreement,” suggesting that Republicans were responsible for any negative fallout. He also repeated his sentiments in a post on X, formerly Twitter, where he accused Republicans of being “ordered” to shut down the government and undermine the very people they claim to represent.
Meanwhile, billionaire tech mogul Elon Musk and former President Donald Trump joined the debate, both criticizing the proposed government funding bill that has drawn significant backlash from conservative hardliners. Musk, appointed to co-chair the newly created Department of Government Efficiency —DOGE—by Trump, lambasted the bill as a blowout with fat and redundant “pork” while advocating for the streamlining of government operations. Musk’s comments were sure to resonate with many on the conservative spectrum who argued the bill was bloated with overspending.
The former President himself also blew off steam over the bill. Trump took to his Truth Social platform to vent about the bill. He called the “ridiculous and extraordinarily expensive” CR bill, which contained no debt ceiling fix, a looming disaster. Trump described the pending deal as a “trap” by the Democrats, adding that Republicans should not agree to it without major changes, especially on the issue of the debt ceiling. He further threatened that any Republican voting for such a bill would see a primary challenge in the next elections.
The controversy comes as Congress debates the 1,547-page bill, which would prevent a partial government shutdown but also includes controversial provisions on health care, ethanol fuel, and disaster aid. The proposed legislation would extend funding until March 14, but conservatives argue that it fails to address critical issues straightforwardly.
