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GOP Hardliners Knock $1.2 Trillion ‘Swamp’ Spending Plan To Avert Shutdown

March 21, 2024
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GOP Hardliners Knock $1.2 Trillion ‘Swamp’ Spending Plan To Avert Shutdown
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Republican hardliners are condemning the $1.2 trillion spending legislation to fund various facets of the federal government for the remainder of fiscal 2024 that congressional leaders from both parties unveiled early Thursday morning less than 48 hours before a partial shutdown could start.

The package combines bills for the Legislative Branch, Financial Services and General Government, and the Departments of Defense, State, Health and Human Services, Labor, Homeland Security, and related agencies. It follows a $460 billion “minibus” funding the other arms of the government for a little more than six months.

GOP negotiators worked with Democrats to devise a compromise that might pass through the Republican-led House and Democrat-controlled Senate. With blowback from the Right flank, the legislation may pass with more Democrat votes than Republican votes in the narrowly divided lower chamber. President Joe Biden has signaled that he would sign the package if it reaches his desk.

Some Republican critics of the $1.2 trillion spending legislation took issue with the timing of the text’s release, which happened overnight and less than two days before a partial shutdown is set to begin this weekend. A couple made reference to the House’s 72-hour review period that leadership may choose to bypass.

“A 1000 page Swamp spending bill was dropped in the dead of the night by the Establishment. With a $1.2 TRILLION price tag,” Rep. Keith Self (R-TX) said on X.

“Your elected Representatives have less than 72 hours to read this…And no amendments can be offered. Washington is broken,” he added.

“Tell your senators: don’t vote for a spending bill they’ve had no chance to review, let alone debate or amend,” Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) posted to X.

“Remind me why even though GOP has majority in the House and filibuster-proof minority in the Senate, the power of the purse sits idly by unused and the debt continues to pile higher and higher?” asked Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY).

“Business as usual is killing our country,” added Rep. Eric Burlison (R-MO). “Dropping the mini-(1 trillion+)-bus in the middle of the night and forcing us to vote in under 72 hours isn’t acceptable, but sadly, that’s where we’re at. I’m a no.”

Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-GA) shared a photo of a large stack of papers.

“At 2:32 am—when Americans were sleeping—the Swamp released its second half of the omnibus. 1,012 pages that spend $1.2 TRILLION of taxpayer dollars on disastrous policies,” he said. “The House is still expected to vote on this monstrosity TOMORROW MORNING. Washington is beyond broken.”

Other Republican lawmakers called attention to specific provisions in the legislation’s text that they found to be objectionable.

This included sections related to the World Health Organization, Ukraine, Ecohealth Alliance, and “DEI inspired healthcare,” as noted by Rep. Andy Ogles (R-TN).

Clyde published a thread to X highlighting a number of sections, particularly those related to the Homeland Security Department and border security.

“The Swamp’s second spending package is finally out. Follow along for all the policy wins that were SURRENDERED during backroom negotiations,” he said.

 

 

Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) appeared on Steve Bannon’s “War Room” show and encouraged his GOP colleagues to oppose the legislation. “A vote for this bill is a vote against America,” he said.

The congressman’s office also posted a thread on X citing various provisions, including money for FBI headquarters.

Another thread, this one from Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC), highlighted what the congressman said were the “worst-of-the-worst earmarks in the Swamp’s +1,000 minibus.” These included multiple “pet projects” worth hundreds of thousands of dollars for LGBT programs.

The House Freedom Caucus issued a post to X that offered some estimates on the spending legislation after the release of its text.

“$1.2 Trillion. ~216,000 words. The #SwampOmnibus spends $5.5 million for every word. ~32 hours before the vote. That’s 112 words a minute just to finish reading (not real analysis) before the vote… That’s signing off on over $600 million per minute,” the post said. It then asked if former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) is still “in charge.”

Appropriations Chairwoman Kay Granger (R-TX) released a statement upon the release of the text, touting what she characterized as wins for Republicans in the final product.

“House Republicans made a commitment to strategically increase defense spending, make targeted cuts to overfunded non-defense programs, and pull back wasteful spending from previous years. I am proud to say that we have delivered on that promise, and this bill is proof,” she said.

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“Given that the world is becoming more dangerous, we wanted to send a strong message that we will do everything in our power to protect the American people and defend our interests,” Granger added.

“This bill funds our highest national security priorities – it invests in a more modern, innovative, and ready fighting force, continues our strong support for our great ally Israel, and provides key border enforcement resources,” the congresswoman said.

“At the same time, we made cuts to programs that have nothing to do with our national security and pulled back billions from the Administration,” she continued. “With the odds stacked against us, House Republicans have refocused spending on America’s interests, at home and abroad, and I urge support of this bill.”



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