President-elect Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance said Wednesday they oppose a massive government spending deal that has come under fire from some Republicans for its size and scope ahead of Friday’s funding deadline.
Trump said in a lengthy statement that lawmakers should pass a “streamlined spending bill” that doesn’t give Chuck Schumer and Democrats everything they want.
“Republicans want to support our farmers, pay for disaster relief and prepare our country for success in 2025,” Trump said. “The only way to achieve this is a temporary funding law WITHOUT DEMOCRATIC GIFTS combined with a debt ceiling increase. Anything else is a betrayal of our country. Republicans need to GET SMART and HARD.”
“When Democrats threaten to shut down the government unless we give them everything they want, then you’re calling their bluff,” he added.
Trump’s comments came after several of his allies and a number of House Republicans spent the day fuming about it Approximately 1,500 pages of invoicewhich was unveiled on Tuesday evening. To avert a government shutdown, lawmakers must pass a funding bill and get it to President Biden’s desk before midnight Friday.
The proposed package combines continued federal funding through March 14 with a range of additional benefits, including disaster relief for hurricane damage and farmers; a healthcare agreement that includes reforms to the pharmacy benefit manager industry; an extension of the agricultural law; and a provision that could pave the way for the Washington Commanders to return to playing their home games in D.C. instead of Maryland.
Trump’s statement particularly criticized proposed pay raises for lawmakers and a provision that would allow House offices to block disclosure of House data. He also urged lawmakers to debate raising the debt ceiling as part of spending negotiations, suggesting Democrats may not be willing to play along when it comes up for discussion in June.
Sources told The Hill that it was Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.). Weighing a backup option That would amount to a “clean” continuing resolution and remove additional provisions that were included in the deal negotiated by congressional leaders.
However, it is unclear whether Democrats would support this alternative. Johnson has an extremely narrow margin to pass a bill with only Republican votes in the House of Representatives, and Democrats have a slim majority in the Senate.
“House Republicans have been ordered to shut down the government. And they are hurting the working-class Americans they claim to support,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) posted on X. “If you break the bipartisan agreement, you face the consequences.” “
A handful of prominent Trump allies and advisers called on lawmakers early Wednesday to reject the spending proposal, suggesting that those who support it would face consequences.
“Any member of the House or Senate who votes for this outrageous spending bill deserves to be voted out in two years!” Elon Musk, a close Trump ally who leads an advisory commission on cutting government spending, posted on X, which Social media platform he owns.
Musk later suggested that no novel law be passed until Trump takes office, effectively advocating a government shutdown just before the holidays.
Also Vivek Ramaswamy, who was chosen by Trump to head the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) alongside Musk I posted a long message Criticism of the scope and extent of the financing law.
Steve Bannon, Trump’s former chief White House strategist, said on his War Room podcast on Wednesday that the bill should fail and suggested that Johnson should no longer serve as speaker after the spending fight is resolved.
“He has to go. And the people sitting there say, ‘Well, President Trump supports him.’ Well, President Trump supports him until he doesn’t support him anymore,” Bannon said.
