The Government can survive until at least March and possibly May. This is the first time I have ever backed a government shutdown.
Trump Stuns Washington
The Washington Post reports Trump Stuns Washington with Push to Repeal Debt Ceiling
President-elect Donald Trump has stunned lawmakers in Washington by calling for the suspension — or outright elimination — of the federal borrowing limit, introducing an explosive new demand into last-minute negotiations over averting a government shutdown this weekend.
In social media posts and interviews on Wednesday and Thursday, Trump called on congressional Republicans to lift the debt ceiling, a law that limits how much money the federal government can borrow.
The cap is currently suspended until Jan. 1, 2025, under a bipartisan deal struck last year. The Treasury Department can use what it calls “extraordinary measures” to finance new expenditures without borrowing beyond the limit. That would probably cover the government until May or June, though nobody can say for sure.
On Truth Social on Wednesday, Trump said of the government spending deal: “Can anyone imagine passing it without either terminating, or extending, the Debt Ceiling guillotine coming up in June?”
Trump later told NBC News of the debt limit: “The Democrats have said they want to get rid of it. If they want to get rid of it, I would lead the charge.” He said getting rid of the debt ceiling entirely would be “the smartest thing” Congress could do.
“This was on no one’s radar,” said one senior congressional aide, speaking on the condition of anonymity to reflect private deliberations. The aide said he was unaware of the debt ceiling demand being part of discussions over government funding between Johnson and Democratic leadership.
Trump Threatens to Remove Johnson
Fox Digital reports Trump says Mike Johnson will ‘easily remain speaker’ if he acts ‘decisively and tough’ on spending bill
Fox News Digital spoke exclusively with the president-elect Thursday morning, just hours after the bipartisan deal to avoid a partial government shutdown was killed.
“Anybody that supports a bill that doesn’t take care of the Democrat quicksand known as the debt ceiling should be primaried and disposed of as quickly as possible,” Trump told Fox News Digital.
Vice President-elect JD Vance met with House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., Wednesday night. The two spoke about the potential continuing resolution for about an hour. Vance said the two had a “productive conversation,” and said he believes they will “be able to solve some problems here” and will continue “working on it.”
In addition to funding the government through March 14, the bill included more than $100 billion in disaster aid to help Americans affected by Hurricanes Milton and Helene. It also included $10 billion in economic relief for farmers, as well as health care reform measures and a provision aimed at revitalizing Washington, D.C.’s RFK stadium and its surrounding campus.
The bill also proposed a pay raise for members of Congress.
Members of the House Freedom Caucus said they felt blindsided by what they saw as unrelated policy riders being added to the bill in last-minute negotiations.
Several GOP lawmakers granted anonymity to speak freely said Johnson would see challenges to his speakership bid in early January over the matter.
Sources said top Republicans like House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, and Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., were mentioned in early talks about alternatives.
Pay Raise for Congress
Johnson went along with a wasteful bill. Was it because, or was it despite, a pay raise?
Regardless, it stunk to high heavens for many reasons.
I commented House Speaker Johnson Approves Another Reckless Spending Bill
Senator Rick Scott blasts House Speaker Mike Johnson over a massive 1500+ page spending bill.
Conservative Play Call Nonsense
If I am not mistaken this would be the 4th Continuing Resolution from Republicans.
“We don’t normally like the CR, but in this case it make sense,” said Johnson.
What an F*wad. This was the only continuing resolution that made no sense. I back a government shutdown now because this is the only one where Republicans could realistically deliver.
Johnson Must Go
In 2023 and 2024, it was idiotic to expect anything other than humiliation when a few House members thought they could control legislation with Democrat control over the Senate and a Democrat in the White House as well.
Trump will take office at the presidential inauguration on Monday, 20 January 2025, so what’s the hurry?
For at least a few months, the Treasury can make sure all key government expenses are paid.
Dear Congress, Please Shut Down
In 2025, Republicans will control all three branches of government. And that means this is the first time in two years it makes sense to shut the government down.
That Johnson could not see the obvious is grounds for removing him.
Johnson’s excuses are so repetitively awful that I doubt he survives, and I hope he doesn’t.
On Lifting the Debt Ceiling
Now that Republicans are in total control, there is no need to lift the debt ceiling, is there?
Of course there is.
Trump has no intention of balancing the budget. And if he gets his way on tax cuts without offsetting cuts or income, the deficit will explode.
The fiscal hawk hypocrites (who are only hawks when a Democrat is president), will now suddenly reverse with Trump in the White House.
On October 20, I noted Trump Disavows His Own “Best in History” USMCA Trade Deal
If USMCA was so great, why is Trump now threatening to break it?
On December 15, I asked Should We Take Trump Seriously or Literally on Huge Tariff Hikes?
Onge is taking Trump literally without factoring in any negative ramifications. It’s pie in the sky economic madness.
When It comes to 25 percent tariffs on Mexico and Canada, I take Trump neither literally nor seriously.
Rather, it’s another Mexico will pay for the way type of statement. You might also recall Trump’s insistence that “Trade wars are good and easy to win.”
For a recap of how that ludicrous statement turned out, please see Trump Claims Tariffs Will Reduce the Trade Deficit. Let’s Fact Check.
Trump proposes 60 percent tariffs on China. Would that reduce the trade deficit? Where? How?
December 16, 2024: Trump Proposes Killing the $7,500 EV Credit and Seeks Tariffs on Battery Materials
Team DOGE has no authority to do anything but make recommendations. For all the hype, DOGE has not come up with anything that I would not have proposed.
For example, DOGE wants to eliminate the Department of Education. Great, but this is an idea that been circulation for at least a decade by Ron Paul and others.
The idea will die if four Republican Senators disagree or perhaps if as few as a couple of House members disagree.
Killing the EV subsidy is part of the ridiculously named Inflation Reduction Act. And the auto industry will fight to keep those subsidies.
Can DOGE even deliver something as simple as killing EV tax credits?
Do You Have Any Faith that Sheriff DOGE Will Reduce the Fiscal Deficit?
Yesterday, I asked Do You Have Any Faith that Sheriff DOGE Will Reduce the Fiscal Deficit?
Before you answer, we need to define the word “faith” and the word “reduce”?
If you do have faith DOGE will accomplish much, your faith is misguided.
And now, Trump wants to get rid of the debt ceiling.
Hypocrites who wanted to keep the ceiling will now support the this without a second thought.