Republican Hardliners Upset Over House Speaker’s Spending Deal with Democrats
In a surprising turn of events, House Speaker Mike Johnson’s spending deal with Democrats has caused uproar among Republican hardliners. The anger within their ranks now threatens crucial legislation aimed at averting a government shutdown.
The rift became evident when twelve conservative House Republicans joined Democrats in voting against a rule for three bills scheduled for floor debate this week. Their intention was to protest against the spending deal brokered by Johnson. Rep. Blake Moore, the vice chairman of the House GOP conference, also voted against the measure, with plans to bring it up again at a later time.
Among the dissenting members are several prominent figures, including Reps. Andy Biggs, Paul Gosar, and Marjorie Taylor Greene. House Freedom Caucus Chairman Bob Good, who led the rebellion, expressed his dissatisfaction with the deal, stating that it fails to secure the border or cut spending.
The spending deal, agreed upon by Johnson and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, amounts to a topline spending of $1.66 trillion. It allocates $888 billion for defense, $704 billion for nondefense discretionary spending, and an additional $69 billion for further spending.
In order to keep the government open, the deal sets a plan requiring Congress to pass the 12 appropriations bills before the shutdown deadlines of Jan. 19 and Feb. 2.
Despite the rebellion within his own party, Johnson remains confident that the topline deal will survive. He sees the agreement as an innovative step away from omnibus spending bills, although he admits his frustration with its perceived shortcomings. However, Johnson believes it is the best deal that can pass both chambers of Congress.
After the vote against the rules measure, GOP House leadership made the decision to cancel afternoon votes. This move reflects the disarray caused by the dissenting members and highlights the potential impact their anger could have on future legislative efforts.
As the deadline for avoiding a government shutdown fast approaches, the fate of the spending deal hangs in the balance. The coming days will prove crucial as Republican hardliners and House GOP leadership attempt to reach a resolution and prevent political gridlock. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.
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