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Speaker Mike Johnson is facing significant criticism from within his own party as Republican lawmakers voice growing dissatisfaction with his handling of a contentious end-of-year spending package.
Some shit you should know before you read: Yesterday, Speaker Mike Johnson unveiled a 1,547-page, $1.7 trillion spending package aimed at extending government funding through March 14, 2025. The bill includes provisions for $100 billion in disaster relief and farm aid, healthcare reforms, investment regulations targeting China, and pay raises for members of Congress. Released on Tuesday evening, the package faces a vote imminently as lawmakers work to avert a government shutdown before the Friday midnight deadline. If the package fails to pass, the government will shut down, disrupting federal operations and services; an alternative option being considered is a “clean” continuing resolution (CR), which temporarily extends current funding levels without additional provisions to prevent a shutdown.
What’s going on now: Following Speaker Johnson’s move to “rush” the 1,547-page spending package through Congress, criticism has erupted from both Republicans and Democrats. Within his own party, Republicans have voiced frustration over the bill’s size and scope, with Rep. Thomas Massie accusing Johnson of breaking promises to avoid continuing resolutions and Rep. Greg Steube lamenting that the GOP is “working with Democrats to pass another CR just 43 days after the election.” Elon Musk labeled the package a “cramnibus” filled with wasteful spending. He added, “Any member of the House or Senate who votes for this outrageous spending bill deserves to be voted out in 2 years!”
Democrats, on the other hand, have criticized elements of the bill they believe are insufficient, particularly disaster relief and farm aid provisions. In a statement, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said, “House Republicans have been ordered to shut down the government. And hurt the working class Americans they claim to support. You break the bipartisan agreement, you own the consequences that follow.”
Bernie Goes After Musk: Senator Bernie Sanders has taken this moment to go after Elon Musk, criticizing his influence in shaping public policy. In a statement, Senator Sanders said, “Democrats and Republicans spent months negotiating a bipartisan agreement to fund our government. The richest man on Earth, President Elon Musk, doesn’t like it. Will Republicans kiss the ring. Billionaires must not be allowed to run our government.”
This all comes as Speaker Mike Johnson is facing a critical Speakership vote on January 3, where his handling of this spending package could significantly impact his ability to retain the gavel. With the Republican Party holding a slim majority in the House, Johnson cannot afford more than one GOP defection if all members are present and voting. The spending package has also fueled discussions among hardline Republicans about potential alternatives to Johnson, with names like Jim Jordan and Byron Donalds being floated as possible replacements.
