US: Congress rushes to finalise Stopgap Bill to prevent holiday government shutdown

As a government shutdown approaches, tensions in Congress are rising, particularly among House Republicans. House Speaker Mike Johnson had to abandon a critical last-minute funding measure intended to prevent a shutdown. This decision came largely due to significant pushback from conservative members of his party, including President-elect Donald Trump, who opposed the substantial spending included in the bill. The proposed measure aimed to extend government funding through March, while introducing various provisions, including disaster aid and health care policy extensions. Dissent from within the Republican ranks has thrown the plan into disarray. The involvement of high-profile figures, such as Elon Musk, has sparked a wave of public dissent against the proposed funding measures. His criticism has undoubtedly influenced conservative lawmakers' viewpoints, intensifying the divisions within the party.