US government on the brink of shutdown

The US House of Representatives on December 19 rejected the budget bill proposed by the Republican Party. Despite the bill being supported by President-elect Donald Trump, 38 Republicans and nearly all Democrats in the House voted against it.

The US government budget is set to expire at the end of December 20 (US time). If lawmakers fail to extend it, the government will begin a partial shutdown on December 21, posing a risk of disrupting many activities, especially during the peak Christmas season.

Trump supports, House rejects budget, US government at risk of shutdown

The new Republican bill would extend government funding through March 2025, when Trump returns to the White House and Republicans control both houses of Congress. It would also include $100 billion in disaster aid and $10 billion in aid for agriculture and related activities. Notably, the deal would also delay the debt ceiling until January 2027, meaning trillions of dollars would be added to the current $36 trillion federal debt.

US Capitol Building

Democrats have criticized the proposal to suspend the debt ceiling, which would allow Mr. Trump to implement tax cuts but would also reduce government revenue and increase debt pressure. Mr. Trump stressed that the US Congress should cancel or extend the debt ceiling until 2029.

The vote on the morning of December 20 (Vietnam time) was 174-235, failing to reach the required number of votes for the bill to pass. Despite Mr. Trump’s support, 38 Republican senators voted against, and only 2 Democratic senators voted in favor. Currently, the Republican Party controls the House of Representatives with a ratio of 219-211.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/chinh-phu-my-can-ke-nguy-co-dong-cua-185241220225559776.htm