The speech was made in reference to the impasse in the US Congress over a spending plan to avoid a federal government shutdown
The president-elect of the United States, Donald Trump (Republican), said this Friday (Dec 20, 2024) that a possible government shutdown should occur under the administration of current president Joe Biden (Democrat), and not after take office next year.
“If there is a government shutdown, let it start now, under the Biden administration, and no later than January 20, under TRUMP. This is a problem for Biden to solve, but if Republicans can help, they will,” in no Truth Social.
The US Congress needs to reach an agreement on the government budget to avoid a shutdown. On Wednesday (Dec 18), both parties had announced an agreement on spending in the country. However, they retreated after criticism from the president-elect.
However, on Thursday (Dec 19), a new proposal – this time supported by Trump – was rejected by the US House of Representatives with 174 votes in favor and 235 against, creating an impasse on the eve of the transition of power.
The initial agreement, which Trump had criticized, called for sending billions to communities affected by natural disasters and suspending federal borrowing limits for 2 years.
Trump insisted that the project must eliminate the debt ceiling – the amount that the government can borrow – and that without this there should be no agreement. After the rejection, the president of the House, Mike Johnson (Republican), promised to seek a new solution.
If Congress does not approve an agreement by midnight this Friday (Dec 20), the government will face a shutdown, with the closure of public bodies and the suspension of essential services.
