House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) stressed that his current spending bill is “clearing the decks” for President-elect Donald Trump and his America First agenda, acknowledging he is not a fan of the bill himself.
Johnson detailed a text conversation he had with billionaires Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, the two co-heads of the Department of Government Efficiency, which he discussed after being asked about Musk’s assessment of his spending bill and how it “should not pass.” The House speaker added that he spoke with Ramaswamy well into the night about the “impossible” situation he is currently facing, as Republicans still only have a “razor-thin” majority in the House.
This bill should not pass https://t.co/eccQ6COZJ4
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 18, 2024
MIKE JOHNSON PLAN TO FUND GOVERNMENT BESET BY DELAYS AND GOP OPPOSITION: ‘TOTAL DUMPSTER FIRE’
“They understand the situation, they said, ‘This is not directed at you, Mr. Speaker, but we don’t like the spending,’” Johnson said on Fox News’s Fox & Friends. “I said ‘guess what fellas? I don’t either.’ We gotta get this done because here’s the key: by doing this, we are clearing the decks, and we are setting up for Trump to come in roaring back with the America First agenda. That’s what we’re going to run with gusto beginning January 3rd when we start the new Congress when Republicans, again, are in control.”
Johnson added that once January 2025 arrives, fiscal conservatives will “finally” be able to enact the legislation they have wanted to pass for years, but Democrats currently control Congress. As such, he issued a call to pass his spending bill and “get this thing done” to prevent a government shutdown, stressing that proper change would come once March 2025 rolls around.
“That’s when the big changes start, and we can’t wait to get there,” Johnson said.
The House speaker’s spending bill, which totals 1,547 pages, has been harshly criticized by many lawmakers within his own party, with Rep. Eric Burlison (R-MO) deeming it a “dumpster fire.” On X, Ramaswamy assessed how the bill is full of “excessive spending” along with “pork barrel politics” and argued that Congress needs to vote no on it if it wants to take DOGE’s mission of government efficiency seriously.
I wanted to read the full 1,500+ page bill & speak with key leaders before forming an opinion. Having done that, here’s my view: it’s full of excessive spending, special interest giveaways & pork barrel politics. If Congress wants to get serious about government efficiency, they…
— Vivek Ramaswamy (@VivekGRamaswamy) December 18, 2024
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Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) also criticized Johnson and his bill, arguing the latter showcases how “he is a weak, weak man.” He then warned that if Johnson’s bill is passed, the nation’s debt will only continue to grow, and “Big Gov Republicans are complicit” in the matter.
I had hoped to see @SpeakerJohnson grow a spine, but this bill full of pork shows he is a weak, weak man.
The debt will continue to grow. Ultimately the dollar will fail. Democrats are clueless and Big Gov Republicans are complicit.
A sad day for America.
— Rand Paul (@RandPaul) December 18, 2024
Congress has until midnight Friday to iron out the disagreements with this bill, or else federal funding will lapse for several government agencies.