President-elect Trump is prioritizing the debt ceiling issue over government spending levels, threatening a government shutdown if it is not addressed. He argues that the blame for any shutdown would fall on President Biden, as shutdowns typically harm the sitting president. Trump is also seeking to increase borrowing limits, anticipating political challenges once Republicans control Congress. His stance was influenced by Elon Musk's criticism of the spending bill, which Trump later opposed publicly. Meanwhile, Republicans are scrambling to draft a new funding plan after discarding the previous one, with uncertainty about whether it will pass in time to avoid a shutdown. Democrats are hesitant to support any deal that includes a debt ceiling agreement, adding to the uncertainty. A potential shutdown could impact millions of federal workers, including military personnel and critical government employees, who may face furloughs or work without pay during the holiday season. Contractors may not receive back pay, leading to financial strain for those living paycheck to paycheck.