US govt shutdown looms after spending deal fails in House

Dozens of Republicans refuse to support Trump-backed Bill that would add to debt

A spending Bill backed by Donald Trump failed in the US House of Representatives on Dec 19, as dozens of Republicans defied the President-elect, leaving Congress with no clear plan to avert a fast-approaching government shutdown that could hit Christmas travel.

The vote laid bare fault lines in Trump's Republican Party that could surface again in 2025 when it controls the White House and both chambers of Congress.

Trump had pressured lawmakers to tie up loose ends before he takes office on Jan 20, but members of the party's right flank refused to support a package that would increase spending and clear the way for a plan that would add trillions more to the federal government's US$36 trillion (S$49 trillion) in debt.

"I am absolutely sickened by a party that campaigns on fiscal responsibility and has the temerity to go to the American people and say you think this is fiscally responsible," said Republican Representative Chip Roy, one of 38 Republicans who voted against the Bill.

The package failed by a vote of 174-235, just hours after it was hastily assembled by Republican leaders seeking to comply with Trump's demands.

A prior bipartisan deal was scuttled after Trump and the world's richest person, Mr Elon Musk, came out against it on Dec 18.

Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson provided no details when reporters asked him about next steps after the failed vote.

"We will come up with another solution," he said.

Government funding is due to expire at midnight on Dec 20.