‘No choice’: DOGE leaders rally House conservatives against 1,500+ page ‘pork-fest’

Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, co-leaders of the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), have taken a firm stance against a stopgap spending bill that has sparked backlash from conservatives in Congress. The bill, which extends government programs and services at their current levels through March 14, 2025, has drawn criticism for its 1,547-page length and unrelated policy riders attached to it.

Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, took to social media to express his dissatisfaction with the spending bill, stating that unless DOGE takes action against deceitful politicians, waste and corruption will persist. Ramaswamy, a former Republican presidential candidate, echoed Musk’s sentiments and proposed a simple 1-page resolution as an alternative.

The two DOGE co-leaders have garnered support from elected Republicans who share their opposition to the bill. GOP Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, for instance, declared that she would not vote for the bill due to provisions related to Ukraine, mask and vaccine mandates, and what she referred to as “Deep State immunity.”

Despite facing pushback from within their own party, Musk and Ramaswamy remain steadfast in their mission to promote government efficiency and transparency. They have called for a clean continuing resolution that focuses on essential government functions and eliminates unnecessary spending.

The ongoing debate over the spending bill has exposed divisions among Republicans in Congress, with some advocating for a clean bill while others support the current omnibus package. The uncertainty surrounding the bill has raised concerns about a potential government shutdown if a resolution is not reached before the deadline.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, who has been tasked with navigating the bill through a divided Congress, emphasized the need for short-term funding measures while Republicans work towards regaining control of government spending in the future. He acknowledged the challenges of governing with a slim majority and expressed optimism about the prospects of scaling back government expenditures in the coming year.

As the deadline looms, the fate of the spending bill remains uncertain. With pressure mounting from both sides of the aisle, lawmakers are faced with a critical decision that could impact government operations and financial stability. The outcome of this debate will shape the future of government efficiency and fiscal responsibility in the United States.