Republican lawmakers savage spending bill as Mike Johnson defends it: ‘We gotta get this done’
Conservative lawmakers are up in arms over a last-minute government spending measure aimed at averting a partial government shutdown. Rep. Kat Cammack of Florida joked that conservatives should start an OnlyFans account considering how often they feel “screwed” by such deals. Her sentiments were echoed by Rep. Paul Gosar of Arizona who announced his opposition to the measure.
Other conservative lawmakers, including Rep. Andrew Clyde of Georgia, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, and Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina, expressed their discontent with the bill, referring to it as the “Christmas Cramnibus” and a “Christmas CR lump of coal.” Sen. Mike Lee of Utah criticized fellow Republicans who plan to vote in favor of the measure despite campaigning against wasteful spending, calling them out for being part of the “Swamp.”
The bill, which contains over $100 billion in disaster aid, has faced backlash from conservatives who argue that it is filled with unnecessary spending and pork barrel projects. House Appropriations Committee chair Rep. Tom Cole defended the proposal, highlighting the importance of providing relief to Americans affected by natural disasters.
Notably, tech mogul Elon Musk weighed in on the issue, giving the bill a thumbs down and questioning the excessive spending included in the proposal. Despite Musk’s disapproval, House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana emphasized the need to pass the bill to prevent a government shutdown and pave the way for President Trump’s return to office.
As the debate over the spending measure continues, conservative lawmakers remain divided on whether to support the bill or push back against what they see as wasteful government spending. The clash between fiscal conservatives and proponents of disaster aid underscores the challenges of balancing budgetary concerns with the urgent needs of disaster-affected communities.
