House Republicans are scrambling to avoid a government shutdown after tech billionaire Elon Musk’s intervention forced them to abandon a bipartisan spending agreement. The GOP hastily put together a partisan package in its place, only to see key Republican members defect.
Amid this chaos, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) took to the House floor on Thursday evening, attempting to shift the blame for the looming shutdown onto Democrats. Luna’s speech quickly descended into chaos as she opened with effusive praise for President-elect Donald Trump, who, along with Musk, had helped derail the bipartisan deal.
As Democrats heckled her, Luna demanded order, saying, “Excuse me! I’m not done talking! Give me the same respect we give you guys.” She continued her argument, claiming that the shutdown would be the fault of Democrats, even as Republicans struggled to gather enough support within their own ranks to pass a purely GOP-backed bill.
“The deal on the table will keep the government open for the American people, and if you guys so choose to shut it down, it will be on you but not the Republican Party,” Luna said. “We will not be going back to the table, this deal stands as it is, so you go back home on Christmas and explain to your people why you shut down the government because we won’t be doing it.”
Her remarks were met with shouts and anger from the Democratic side of the aisle, who vocally rejected her claims. Luna’s speech was followed by a passionate condemnation from Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX), who criticized his own party for irresponsible spending.
Roy’s fiery denouncement of the bill further underscored the deep divisions within the Republican Party as the deadline for a government shutdown looms, with neither side willing to back down.