The brinkmanship is a sign that governing will be harder than Donald Trump might assume

The US House of Representatives voted to avert a government shutdown with just hours to spare, with Democrats joining Republicans to advance a funding bill keeping the lights on through mid-March.

Rep. Carlos Gimenez (R-Fla.) says he will vote for either of the two options outlined by House Republicans to keep government open. He also responds to Elon Musk’s reaction to the latest funding proposals. Rep. Gimenez says on Meet the Press NOW he has “full confidence” in Speaker Mike Johnson.

Trump’s second administration includes representatives of all three foreign policy camps in the Republican Party. What does that mean for China policy?

Mark Warner, the US Senator from Virginia, says Elon Musk’s tweet about the government funding bill this week are “factually not true.” His remarks come as House Speaker Mike Johnson strategized Friday morning with lieutenants and Democrats on how to rush a spending bill through the chamber ahead of a midnight US government shutdown deadline after legislation backed by President-elect Donald Trump failed Thursday.
The last-minute haggling over details, which were not yet finalized, came as Trump adviser Elon Musk continued to threaten a government shutdown if the incoming administration did not get what it wants out of the House Republican majority.
Senator Warner spoke with Kailey Leinz on Bloomberg Radio. (Source: Bloomberg)

Readers discuss his role in the government shutdown negotiations. Also: Trump austerity; G.O.P.’s future; clean energy; guns and young people.

Donald Trump has yet to take office but the president-elect and Elon Musk are already influencing policy, putting the federal government hours away from a shut down.

Get caught up.

The House rejected a bill late Thursday to keep the government funded temporarily after Republican leaders reneged on an earlier bipartisan deal and made modifications to appease President-elect Donald Trump, billionaire Elon Musk and an internal GOP revolt.
The vote was 174-235, with one Democrat voting present, falling far short of the two-thirds majority needed to pass it under a fast-track process.
NBC News’ Brie Jackson has all the details on Early Today.

A spending bill backed by Donald Trump failed in the US House of Representatives as dozens of Republicans defied the president-elect, leaving Congress with no clear plan to avert a fast-approaching government shutdown that could disrupt Christmas travel.

Still a month away from the White House, Trump and his billionaire backer threw Congress’ plans to get home for the holidays into chaos over a government funding bill.