In a surprising turn of events, incoming Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Susan Collins expressed her astonishment at President-elect Donald Trump's unexpected demand to include a debt ceiling increase in the year-end negotiations for a government funding package. Collins admitted that she was taken aback by the President's decision and mentioned that she was unsure of his reasoning behind this move.
During a conversation with reporters, Collins encountered outgoing Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, who humorously remarked, 'Oh, this is the way it's going to be next year.' McConnell refrained from elaborating further on Trump's last-minute opposition to the government funding bill.
Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska expressed her hope that House leaders would be able to devise a continuing resolution that could swiftly gain approval. When asked about her feelings regarding this unexpected development just a week before Christmas, Murkowski emphasized the urgency of wrapping up proceedings swiftly, stating, 'I'm hoping to get things wrapped up here. We got to wrap quick.'
