'Total dumpster fire': Republicans fume over speaker's spending plan days from shutdown deadline

Leadership released the bill Tuesday evening after promising it last weekend.

ByJohn Parkinson and Lauren Peller

December 17, 2024, 7:33 PM

Congressional leaders on Tuesday evening finally released a short-term government funding bill to avert a shutdown at the end of this week. The measure will fund the government through March 14, 2025, at current spending levels. The measure also includes $100.4 billion for disaster relief and an additional $10 billion in economic assistance for farmers.

Republican leadership could hold a vote as soon as Wednesday but it’s more likely to occur on Thursday.

Among provisions in short-term spending bill:

Reauthorization the Department of Homeland Security's unmanned aircraft systems program, which would allow for coordination among all Homeland Security agencies to address and counter the potential threats from drones.

A one-year extension of the Farm Bill.

It extends several expiring health care programs, including telehealth programs.

It grants Washington, D.C., control of Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium, paving the way for the NFL's Commanders to move from Maryland to D.C.

A provision for the government to cover 100% of rebuilding the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, which collapsed when a container ship ran into it.

Restrictions on U.S. investment in China.

Republicans had initially promised to release bill text over the weekend with the aim of holding a vote early in the week, but outspoken criticism from within their ranks continually delayed negotiators from finalizing the legislation. While Speaker Mike Johnson expressed a preference to abide by waiting 72 hours after the bill text was posted to hold a vote, lawmakers are eager to get out of town for the holiday break, so it’s very likely he might not honor that rule.

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https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/total-dumpster-fire-republicans-fume-speakers-spending-plan/story?id=116870360