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Government shutdown live updates: Johnson vows no shutdown, says GOP is 'unified'

The federal government is set to run out of money Friday night.

Last Updated: December 20, 2024, 2:59 PM EST

With a government shutdown deadline just hours away, Republican congressional leaders are scrambling to come up with a third spending proposal.

An initial bipartisan deal was tanked earlier this week by President-elect Donald Trump and his ally Elon Musk. Then on Thursday night, the House failed to pass a revamped plan that included Trump's explosive demand that the debt limit be extended.

Thousands of federal workers could have to work without pay if a shutdown ensues. Others could be furloughed and many government services could be affected.

10:59 AM EST

Elon Musk weighs in on spending battle

The Tesla billionaire and X owner is weighing in again as lawmakers search for an eleventh-hour solution.

"Either the government should pass sensible bills that actually serve the people or shut it down!" Musk wrote on X.

Tesla CEO and X owner Elon Musk listens as US President-elect Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with House Republicans at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Washington, Nov. 13, 2024.
Allison Robbert/POOL via Reuters, FILES

His post came shortly after Trump also urged the shutdown to "begin now" under the Biden administration rather than during his presidency if lawmakers were unable to come to an agreement.

The funding fight has been a forum for Musk to exert his political influence. Musk has become a key member of President-elect Donald Trump's inner circle, and played a role in torpedoing an original government spending plan that had bipartisan support.

10:58 AM EST

As Johnson scrambles for deal, Schumer calls for return to bipartisan plan

In floor remarks on Friday, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer urged Republicans to return to the original bipartisan funding plan.

"If Republicans do not work with Democrats in a bipartisan way very soon the government will shut down at midnight. It is time to go back to the original agreement we had just a few days ago," Schumer said.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer speaks to reporters following a closed-door strategy session, at the Capitol in Washington, Dec. 17, 2024.
J. Scott Applewhite/AP

"It's the quickest, simplest, and easiest way we can make sure the government stays open while delivering critical emergency aid to the American people. If the House put our original agreement on the floor today it would pass and we could put the threat of a shutdown behind us," Schumer said.

The comments came as Speaker Mike Johnson huddled in his office with Vice President-elect JD Vance and other lawmakers to try to come up with a third funding option to vote on.

-ABC News' Allison Pecorin

9:42 AM EST

Top Democrat warns Senate may not accept House bill

Democrat Patty Murray, the chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, is making it clear that she's preparing for a fight on government funding.

"I'm ready to stay here through Christmas because we're not going to let Elon Musk run the government," Murray said.

Her statement signals that Senate Democrats may not be willing to roll over and accept whatever funding measure the House manages to pass.

A man walks toward the Capitol on a day where a potential government shutdown looms during the holidays after a spending bill backed by Donald Trump failed in the U.S. House of Representatives, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Dec. 20, 2024.
Kevin Lamarque/Reuters

Senate Democrats, including Murray and Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, are continuing to advocate for a return to the bipartisan deal that President-elect Donald Trump helped to kill earlier this week.

"The American people do not want chaos or a costly government shutdown all because an unelected billionaire wants to call the shots -- I am ready to work with Republicans and Democrats to pass the bipartisan deal both sides negotiated as soon as possible," Murray said.

-ABC News' Allison Pecorin

8:17 AM EST

Trump says if there is going to be a shutdown, it should 'begin now'

Trump said on Friday morning that if there is going to be a government shutdown, it should "begin now."

"If there is going to be a shutdown of government, let it begin now, under the Biden Administration, not after January 20th, under 'TRUMP,'" Trump wrote in a social media post.

"This is a Biden problem to solve, but if Republicans can help solve it, they will!" Trump added.

The message came after House Republicans on Thursday night failed to pass a Trump-backed spending proposal after 38 GOP members rejected the plan.

-ABC News' Soorin Kim, Lalee Ibssa and Kelsey Walsh

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