Exclusive: Prominent conservative groups are speaking out against the just-passed short-term spending bill aimed at averting a government shutdown this weekend, claiming Americans are “outraged” by the level of federal spending.
“Congress is cornered, unable to pass a responsible spending bill, unable to secure our borders, and once again opting for short-term CRs that do nothing to solve the problems facing our country. “Washington's recklessness will leave taxpayers paying for it,” Heritage Action Vice President Ryan Walker said in a statement.
“Congress has 40 days left to fight on a separate funding bill to cut spending that fuels inflation and help the Biden administration reverse the flow of illegal immigration. We cannot afford to waste this time.”
In a statement sent to Republican lawmakers, Walker said the bill passed Thursday is the third extension of government funding this Congress, with negotiators unable to reach an agreement on fiscal year 2024 spending. he pointed out.
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House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) helped Congress avert a government shutdown on Friday. (Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)
“The American people are outraged by the dysfunction in the Swamp that is pushing them to the end,” he said. ”[O]The government has wasted opportunity after opportunity and moved the goalposts in the third short-term CR, but it has delivered little to the people. ”
The group called for government funding to comply with “statutory caps”. The conservative House Freedom Caucus has set next year's spending level at $1.59 trillion, the cap set by former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and President Biden during debt limit negotiations last spring. This was in response to a request to leave it in place.
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However, side agreements entered into at the time and now honored by House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) include provisions for non-defense discretionary spending. An additional $69 billion in side agreements would be included. — something that Republican hardliners have been pushing back against.
“Conservatives have consistently stood firm in our demands for meaningful spending cuts and serious efforts to end the illegal scourge at our border,” Walker said. .
Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer of New York struck a bipartisan deal with Mr. Johnson to keep the government running. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc, via Getty Images)
“The government can and should provide funding at levels that comply with statutory caps, absent backroom deals that lead to spending increases beyond Pelosi-era levels, and force policy changes.” It would be possible to give billions of dollars to Biden’s border officials without doing so. It would be unconscionable.”
The House voted Thursday to move forward with an extension of short-term government funding, known as a continuing resolution (CR). The bill now heads to President Biden's desk and must be signed by Friday evening to avoid a partial bill. government shutdown.
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The bill passed 314-108, splitting House Republicans almost evenly. 107 Republicans voted for passage, and 106 opposed.
Hours before the vote, House Freedom Caucus Chairman Bob Good (R-Va.) met with Prime Minister Johnson to persuade him to add the border security amendment to the CR.
The House Freedom Caucus, led by Republican Rep. Bob Good of Virginia, opposed the continuing resolution. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Mr Good told reporters that Mr Johnson was “considering” whether the Senate was willing to fund the government to secure the border or because they didn't want to secure the border. “We will be forced to consider whether to deny funding to the government.” . ”
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But Johnson quickly shut down the rumors. Mr. Goode's press secretary, Raj Shah, said X minutes after Mr. Goode spoke to reporters: “Plans have not changed. The House will vote tonight on a stop-gap measure to keep the government functioning.” Posted.
Adding such an amendment would almost certainly have led to a showdown with Congressional Democrats and a subsequent government shutdown.
