What to expect as Republicans try to salvage the spending package and prevent a government shutdown?

The conservative revolt and sudden intervention in the negotiations by President-elect Donald Trump, Vice President-elect JD Vance and Elon Musk have left House Speaker Mike Johnson and others struggling to find a way out of their political impasse find and avoid a government shutdown at 12:00:01 a.m. ET Saturday.

Fox News is told that Trump’s unexpected demand to address the debt ceiling in this package has complicated matters exponentially. Many conservatives will not vote to raise the debt ceiling. And the Democrats are balking because the Republicans broke the deal.

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

Democrats have bailed out Republican majorities on every major budget bill this Congress. They seem to be done helping the Republicans.

House Republican leaders are scrambling for Plan B after Trump and Musk led conservatives’ anger against the spending bill

President-elect Trump and Speaker Mike Johnson are fighting to prevent a government shutdown. (Getty Images)

What’s more, there may not be enough time to avoid a shutdown, especially if a new bill is due to be tabled – and the Conservatives want it to lie dormant for three days before the vote.

It’s not even about getting it through the Senate.

‘THERE ARE ALWAYS CONSEQUENCES’: GOP REBELS PLAN MUTINY AGAINST JOHNSON OVER GOVERNMENT PROTECTION DRAMA

A government shutdown is looming as Republicans struggle to put together a comprehensive spending package. (Jemal Countess/Getty Images for Accountable Tech)

Many members Fox News spoke to Wednesday night have now come to terms with the very high possibility of a government shutdown – perhaps one that lasts until Christmas. There simply isn’t a combination of voices that can solve this mystery yet.

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Congress has also not addressed disaster relief. Some conservatives object to North Carolina and Florida not receiving equalization payments. The fate of relief efforts following Hurricanes Helene and Milton is currently in limbo.