Senator Bernie Sanders has said: "The US Congress this week came to an agreement to fund our government, and Elon Musk, who became $200 BILLION richer since Trump was elected, objected"

President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance have called on Republicans in both the House and Senate to force a government shutdown rather than approve a stopgap funding bill that would keep agencies running at current levels through March 2025.

In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) by Vance, the two leaders criticized the bill for not raising the national debt ceiling and accused lawmakers of "considering a spending bill that would give sweetheart provisions for government censors and Liz Cheney." They were particularly upset that the proposed continuing resolution, crafted by House Speaker Mike Johnson and his team, would prevent the executive branch from exploiting a legal loophole to access phone and other communication records of members of Congress and their aides, who are generally protected by congressional immunity.

They also criticized the bill for not preventing a planned annual pay raise for Congress members, noting they haven't received a raise in nearly two decades, and pushed for a "streamlined spending bill" that would not give Democrats everything they want.

“Republicans want to support our farmers, fund disaster relief, and position the country for success in 2025. The only way to achieve that is with a temporary funding bill WITHOUT DEMOCRAT GIVEAWAYS and an increase in the debt ceiling. Anything else is a betrayal of our country,” they stated, adding the unfounded claim that President Joe Biden, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, and other Democrats are blocking the bill, which includes disaster relief and aid for farmers.

“If Democrats threaten a government shutdown unless we give them everything they want, then CALL THEIR BLUFF,” they said.

The White House responded later that evening.

“Republicans need to stop playing politics with this bipartisan agreement or they will hurt hardworking Americans and create instability across the country,” said White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre. “President-elect Trump and Vice President-elect Vance are demanding Republicans shut down the government, threatening to do so while undermining communities recovering from disasters, farmers, ranchers, and community health centers.”