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Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy Call on Congress to Reject Deal to Avoid Government Shutdown
WASHINGTON – Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy are requesting that lawmakers not approve a government funding bill aimed at avoiding a significant shutdown at the week’s end.
“This bill should be rejected,” Musk expressed on X Wednesday morning. He later posed the question to his vast audience: “Have you ever seen a larger piece of wasteful spending?” referring to legislation laden with unrelated projects and interests.
Ramaswamy commented that the bill contains “excessive spending, favoritisms for special interests, and wasteful politics. If Congress genuinely seeks to ensure government efficiency, they must VOTE NO.”
These two figures are expected to spearhead a temporary agency in President-elect Donald Trump’s upcoming second term, named the Department of Government Efficiency, which aims to reduce government expenditures.
Their opposition, being influential allies of Trump, could complicate the approval of the bill that intends to keep government operations running until March 14, while also providing policies that include $100 billion directed towards disaster relief.
Should Congress fail to pass the funding extension, thousands of federal workers might face furloughs, while crucial resources could either be delayed or halted.
Nonetheless, tensions are rising among House Republicans, encompassing both far-right and moderately conservative members, concerning the latest agreement to avert a government shutdown. Some members have criticized GOP leaders for excluding them from the negotiation process, while others oppose temporary funding measures known as continuing resolutions.
House Speaker Mike Johnson stated on Fox and Friends Wednesday that he is in communication with Musk and Ramaswamy via text, discussing their concerns the previous night.
“I was providing them with the context of this,” Johnson mentioned. Ramaswamy conveyed to Johnson, “We are unhappy with the spending,” and Johnson replied, “So am I.”
However, he emphasized, “We must finalize this, as it will set the stage for Trump’s return with the America First agenda,” he added.
Nevertheless, the mid-March deadline introduces a new funding dispute that would coincide with Trump’s first 100 days in office, a vital period for the new GOP majority in Washington as they push for a substantial package of conservative policies.
Some Republicans have pointed out that extending funding for three months merely serves to sidestep a conflict regarding Johnson’s leadership, especially since he assured his colleagues not to support significant year-end spending bills often called “Christmas trees.” Such bills tend to exploit lawmakers’ desire to leave Washington by securing funding for various individual projects and interests.
Johnson insisted Tuesday that this package does not constitute a “Christmas tree,” but rather provides essential funding to aid in the recovery from two catastrophic hurricanes and assist struggling farmers.
The legislation encompasses various other measures, including pay increases for Congress members, extensive healthcare reforms, funding for the reconstruction of the Francis Scott Key bridge in Baltimore, laws aimed at enhancing ticket pricing transparency, and policies to counter drone threats, among others.
However, to prevent a government shutdown by week’s end, Johnson was required to forge a deal with Democrats, who currently hold control over the U.S. Senate. Their cooperation will be vital for Johnson to secure any funding extension in the House, given the Republicans’ slim majority and divisions over the latest funding arrangement.
“As always, bipartisan effort is essential – we cannot afford last-minute hitches or posturing. Otherwise, the American public will not receive the funding they deserve, and we risk a shutdown,” stated Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer on the Senate floor Wednesday morning.
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