DOnald Trump He is the most powerful Republican politician in one generation, but the elected president still does not match the most nihilistic members of his party. The chaos in the budget that was revealed in the Capitol Hill with the approaching Christmas holidays is only a preview of the difficult facts that Mr. Trump will face When he begins to judge Next month.
The members of the 118th conference, which ended by the Senate, was tightly controlled by Democrats and a tightly controlled by Republicans – one great task during the last week in Washington this year. They needed to pass a simple bill to keep the government funded in 2025 in the close of the current levels. The idea was to postpone the battles on the unnoticed policy issues until Mr. Trump and the next Congress were in place. On December 20, a few hours before the expiration of the current financing, they managed to conclude a deal to avoid the closure of the government. However, the chaotic process showed the non -practical nature of the Republican Alliance and the inspection of the challenges awaiting Mr. Trump. The brink of the abyss was a reminder that there is nothing simple in Washington these days.
Mike Johnson, Speaker of the House of Representatives, knew that a few dozen members of his Republic any budget. Instead, he worked with the Democrats a compromise that would keep the government open until March. With the Democrats informed of their influence, negotiations moved away from the speaker, resulting in a kind of legislative maze that Mr. Johnson pledged for not being voted. In addition to extended financing, its 1547 pages included disaster assistance, farmers’ support, and a set of other related legislation, from the transfer of the stadium to the restrictions imposed on investments in China. Increase a 3.8 % salary for legislators – the first in 15 years and much less than 40 % Elon Musk A mistake was suggested – a fiercely predictable reaction.
Mr. Musk, and Mr. Trump quickly called for the entire deal. The richest man on this planet, which is relatively new in Washington’s policy, has also supported calls for the government to close to separate Mr. Biden. Mr. Trump and Republicans in Congress, after they lived through toxic closure before, they soon froze together a more humble compromise without the inputs of Democrats.
This issue sought to keep the government open without much unrelated legislation from the first draft law. But she also suggested extending the US debt ceiling, a request at the last minute of Mr. Trump (who wants to be able to pay tax cuts and add debt without punishment). The president once praised the new draft law and urged the Republicans and Democrats to support it. But on December 19, almost every democratic in the House of Representatives rejected, along with 38 Republican financialists. Hakim Jeffrez, the Democratic Great in the House of Representatives, said to Mr. Trump’s attempt to suspend the debt limit.
A compromise came the next day. Mr. Johnson agreed to maintain the roof of the debt; Democrats agreed to abandon the relevant legislation that reached the initial draft. In the calculus calculating, these elements were nice to lose, but it was not worth forcing the closure. The deal, which has easily passed despite 34 Republican splits, extends government financing until mid -March, and includes disaster and farmers’ support.
The episode was lighting in several ways. With numbers, the Republicans won full control over Congress. In fact, the majority of it is the legislative majority of the European -style coalition government. The ruling wing of the party entered into a wild alliance with Berserker Caucus. The alliance is combined by Animus for Democrats more than joint legislative goals. They may agree to enforce immigration or how to use the summons power, but Republicans’ control over the power of the wallet weakens due to their internal departments. This will have repercussions of billions of dollars, as Mr. Trump will seek next year to extend the tax cuts that were for the first time in 2017, many of which will end without new legislation.
“It is easy to talk about financial responsibility and is difficult to implement. This indicates that there are a number of Republicans who have reached the maximum,” says Maya McGoynas, head of the responsible federal budget committee. “This can lead to a financial confrontation within the party.”
When the Republicans divide his position in January, they will have a decision to take it on legislative priorities. Should they immediately try to pass defense, immigration and energy legislation? Or should you combine these priorities with a broader financial bill? The idea that it would be better to gain momentum in recent weeks, but this battle on a much simpler government financing bill may give leaders.
It is not even clear who will lead Republicans in the House of Representatives while working on the age of Mr. Trump next year. Kevin McCarthy became Speaker of the House of Representatives in 2023 after 15 rounds of voting. He lost his job after less than a year because it allowed the approval of a bill to finance the government. Mr. Johnson, relatively unknown, took power after weeks of voting without a goal. Even if Mr. Trump continues to support Mr. Johnson, the Republicans have shown their willingness to challenge their president.
will Republican Party Start 2025 in an effective state of civil war? Mr. Trump is certainly not afraid to attack his party members. Eight Republicans in the House of Representatives who voted to persuade him left the 6th of January in the wake of Mr. Trump’s campaign against them, and Mr. Trump’s allies were not ashamed of the threat of Senate members who oppose the controversial cabinet candidates. The president -elect is also ready to attack Republicans from the left: He suggested that Chip Roy, the steel financial governor, face a fundamental challenge to his opposition to the settlement of this week’s budget.
The “Samar” may be the lesson that Mr. Trump takes from all this, as Matt Jasiman, a colleague at the Institute of Governmental Affairs at Georgetown University. He can conclude that “I enjoy it as much as I can on the executive. It is better not to go with a headache dealing with these people at home.” However, this requires him to cut deals with Democrats, which exacerbates the gaps in his party. Mr. Trump soon wonders why he wanted to be president again. ■
Editor’s note (December 20): This story was updated after the house concluded a deal to avoid closing.
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