Trump’s opposition to CR brinks shutdown

The federal government faces a potential shutdown as President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance reject a bipartisan stopgap spending bill ahead of the 20 December funding deadline. Trump and his allies criticize the 1,547-page continuing resolution (CR) for its size, pay raises for Congress, and funding priorities, including $100 billion in disaster aid and $10 billion in farm support.

Key Republican voices, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, support the bill to maintain government operations through 14 March, which would allow time for more comprehensive sausage making. The bill extends Medicare telehealth flexibilities, hospital-at-home waivers, and predeductible telehealth coverage; however, opposition from figures like Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, who lead the proposed Department of Government Efficiency, has intensified GOP discord.

The Congressional Budget Office estimated the 2018–2019 shutdown, the longest in US history, cost the economy $8 billion. With Trump signaling willingness to play chicken with government operations, federal employees and contractors face renewed uncertainty.