Republicans in the House of Representatives agree on Plan B to finance the government with Trump’s increase in the debt ceiling

Republicans in the House of Representatives agree on Plan B to finance the government with Trump’s increase in the debt ceiling

Republicans in the House of Representatives have agreed on a replacement plan to avert a government shutdown by Friday’s deadline.

Multiple sources told Fox News Digital that the deal would extend current government funding levels by three months and also suspend the debt limit for two years, something President-elect Trump has called for.

Trump praised the deal minutes after Fox News Digital reported its contents.

The agreement also includes aid for farmers and about $110 billion in disaster relief funds for Americans affected by storms Helene and Milton.

JOHNSON IS WITH POSSIBLE CONSERVATIVE CONSERVATIVE REBELS OVER THE GOVERNMENT’S FINANCING PLAN

Johnson at a press conference in the Capitol

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., left, speaks as House Majority Leader Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La., speaks during a press conference at the U.S. Capitol on December 17, 2024 in Washington, DC. listens. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

It would also include certain health care provisions, minus reforms to the Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) system that some Republicans and Democrats pushed for but others vehemently opposed.

“Speaker Mike Johnson and the House of Representatives have reached a very good deal for the American people,” Trump wrote of the deal. “The newly agreed American Relief Act of 2024 will keep the government open, fund our Great Farmers and others, and help those hit hard by the devastating hurricanes.”

“All Republicans and even Democrats should do what’s best for our country and vote ‘YES’ on this bill TONIGHT!”

The national debt has recently exceeded the $36 trillion mark and continues to grow. The federal deficit is over $1 trillion.

Shortly after Fox News Digital’s report, House leaders released the legislative text of the bill. The length was approximately 116 pages, a far cry from the original legislation at 1,547 pages.

The Hitchhiker’s Guide explains what happened to the interim spending bill

President-elect Donald Trump

President-elect Trump praised the new deal. (Oleg Nikishin/Getty Images)

This came after the Conservatives led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy torpedoed Speaker Mike Johnson’s original government funding plan on Wednesday, sparking fears of a partial government shutdown just before the holidays.

Republican hardliners were angry that what they saw as last-minute measures and political factors that had nothing to do with it were added to the bill.

Elon Musk and Mike Johnson have separated

Speakers Mike Johnson (left) and Elon Musk (Getty Images)

House Republicans began negotiating a “clean” bill known as a Continuing Resolution (CR). But those were also upended when Trump urged Republican lawmakers to combine a CR with debt limit measures, in what was expected to be a contentious fight in the first half of next year.

Musk and Ramaswamy have also lent their voices to the fight, with Musk calling on any Republican who supported the deal to lose their House seats.

CAPITOL HILL is preparing for a high-stakes showdown over the $36 trillion US debt crisis

The original plan, which was bipartisan, was declared “dead” by House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., as he left the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday evening.

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In addition to averting a partial government shutdown until March 14, the bill also included a provision allowing the revitalization of RFK Stadium in Washington, DC; permits for year-round sales of ethanol fuel; and the first pay raise for lawmakers since 2009.

Members of the House of Representatives could vote on the new bill as early as Thursday evening.

But it’s not immediately clear whether it would happen. Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, who also led the opposition to the original bill, also criticized the new deal.

“More debt. More government. Credit card increase by $4 trillion, with no spending limits and cuts. HARD NO,” Roy wrote on X.

And House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., told reporters on the way to a closed session of the House Democratic Caucus: “The Musk-Johnson proposal is not a serious government shutdown.”

Fox News’ Kelly Phares contributed to this report

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