Some of President-elect Donald Trump’s allies in the House are calling for a government shutdown amid chaos in the lower chamber after House Speaker Mike Johnson’s (R-LA) continuing resolution fell apart in a matter of hours Wednesday.
House Republicans are now openly calling for a government shutdown just days before the Christmas holiday.
“Shut it down,” Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN) wrote on social media.
“Shut. It. Down.” Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) said on social media. “At this point if there is no plan, let the September CR lapse and let’s reset Jan. 20th.”
“I’m all in,” Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) wrote on X in response to a post from former Speaker Newt Gingrich saying Trump and Republicans should not be afraid of a shutdown. “The government can shut down all the way until Jan 20th as far as I’m concerned.”
Greene additionally added a warning to Johnson, writing, “WE MUST STAND FIRM WITH THE AMERICAN PEOPLE TO STOP THE MADNESS!! No matter what. Even if we have to elect new leadership.”
A government shutdown would halt all nonessential governmental operations. Military personnel would continue their duties as usual, and social welfare programs such as Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid would also continue unimpeded since they are funded through mandatory funding bills.
The White House Office of Management and Budget has an outline of how agencies should proceed if there is a shutdown, but government workers go without pay during a shutdown, including essential employees still required to work who are paid after funding is secured.
Some House Republicans, including Greene and Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), appear wary of supporting Johnson in another bid to lead the House, which could set up another lengthy fight to elect a speaker.
“I’ll vote for somebody else,” Massie said Wednesday. “I’ve got a few in mind. I’m not going to say yet.”
Wednesday afternoon, Elon Musk, who has not left Trump’s side since the election, began telling members not to vote in favor of the continuing resolution or face a primary challenge. Musk even went as far as to say no new bills or spending should be voted upon until Trump retakes the executive office in January.
Hours later, Trump and Vice President-elect J.D. Vance said they were not supportive of the continuing resolution unless it included a raise to the debt ceiling, an item that usually takes weeks to negotiate.
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Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) said it was up to the House GOP to “own” a government shutdown and that Democrats would not bail Johnson or House Republicans out, as they have done for much of Johnson’s tenure.
“House Republicans have been ordered to shut down the government. And hurt the working class Americans they claim to support,” Jeffries posted on X. “You break the bipartisan agreement, you own the consequences that follow.”
