‘This bill is an abomination,’ Texas Rep. Chip Roy said.
Conservative Republicans didn’t hold back on March 21 over the $1.2 trillion spending bill that would fund 70 percent of the government—as the clock ticked toward a partial government shutdown on March 23.
The bill, the text of which was unveiled in the early morning hours of March 21—less than 48 hours before a shutdown was set to begin—immediately reignited tensions in the Republican conference and concerns about House Speaker Mike Johnson’s (R-La.) leadership of the lower chamber.
“They did make some cuts, but it’s not what I would like,” Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) told reporters in a gentle voice.
But Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) vented about the bill, which would fund agencies such as the Defense Department, and directed his ire at Mr. Johnson, saying he “blew it.”
“It’s total lack of backbone, total lack of leadership, and a total failure by Republican leadership, there’s no other way to describe it,” Mr. Roy said on “Bannon’s War Room.”
“This bill is an abomination.”
Mr. Roy called on the American people to flood the phones of the offices of GOP members of Congress to “tell them the truth that they are risking the House majority if they vote for this bill.”
He and other conservative Republicans have made numerous posts on X railing against the bill.
In one post, Mr. Roy said, “Every Republican who votes for this omnibus spending bill is voting for those gangs, voting for those murderers and rapists, voting for the surrender of American sovereignty.”
Every Republican who votes for this omnibus spending bill is voting for those gangs, voting for those murderers and rapists, voting for the surrender of American sovereignty. https://t.co/uvL0ySBZ3I
— Chip Roy (@chiproytx) March 21, 2024
Head-Turning Earmarks
Several Republicans criticized the bill for some head-turning earmarks it would fund.
“Within the 1,000-plus pages of this week’s $1.2 trillion minibus is $700,000 for government contracting matchmaking in Maryland. Is this Tinder for bureaucrats? Let Maryland pay for its own weird programs and keep Florida tax dollars away from this,” Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) wrote on X.
Within the 1,000+ pages of this week's $1.2 trillion minibus is $700,000 for government contracting matchmaking in Maryland…
— Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) March 21, 2024
Is this Tinder for bureaucrats? Let Maryland pay for its own weird programs and keep Florida tax dollars away from this.
“Apparently, a Republican majority funds the same twisted nonsense—just slower,” Rep. Eli Crane (R-Ariz.) wrote on X.
Apparently, a Republican majority funds the same twisted nonsense—just slower.
— Rep. Eli Crane (@RepEliCrane) March 21, 2024
“The #SwampOmnibus is full of insane earmarks that should be REJECTED,” Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) wrote, giving numerous examples.
The #SwampOmnibus is full of insane earmarks that should be REJECTED.
— Rep. Matt Gaetz (@RepMattGaetz) March 21, 2024
For example, New Jersey Senators are asking for nearly HALF A MILLION in taxpayer dollars to fund a state organization that force-feeds the LGBT agenda in schools.
This group assists in finding gender… pic.twitter.com/tVMyDjECjx
Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) called the earmarks “EVIL.”
$870,000 for an Emerging Artist Fellowship Program, who demands for defunding the police, among other atrocious woke demands. pic.twitter.com/Wf5f8iLfUG
— Rep. Ralph Norman (@RepRalphNorman) March 21, 2024
“At 2:32 am—when Americans were sleeping—the Swamp released its second half of the omnibus. 1,012 pages that spend $1.2 TRILLION of taxpayer dollars on disastrous policies. The House is still expected to vote on this monstrosity TOMORROW MORNING. Washington is beyond broken,” Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-Ga.) wrote on X.
At 2:32 am—when Americans were sleeping—the Swamp released its second half of the omnibus.
— Rep. Andrew Clyde (@Rep_Clyde) March 21, 2024
1,012 pages that spend $1.2 TRILLION of taxpayer dollars on disastrous policies.
The House is still expected to vote on this monstrosity TOMORROW MORNING.
Washington is beyond broken. pic.twitter.com/AlZCDYWBKK
Republicans also blasted the inclusion of funding in the bill for a new FBI headquarters in Greenbelt, Maryland, which the GOP has targeted amid growing frustration with the agency for alleged politicization.
“The swamp’s new spending package released while you were sleeping includes $200 MILLION for a new FBI HQ,” wrote Rep. Barry Moore (R-Ala.) on X.
The swamp’s new spending package released while you were sleeping includes $200 MILLION for a new FBI HQ.
— Rep. Barry Moore (@RepBarryMoore) March 21, 2024
We can’t fix weaponized government if we’re funding it. https://t.co/4atqH6IgNS
“We can’t fix weaponized government if we’re funding it.”
Others cited the legislation’s border and immigration funding.
“I have multiple concerns, among them are the many new social services that this bill would create for the millions of illegal immigrants streaming across our border,” Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-Ala.), chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, said in a statement.
Mr. Aderholt also condemned the bill’s funding for facilities that provide “routine abortion services, including late-term abortions.”
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) emphasized the bill’s funding allocations for a series of left-wing initiatives as driving her opposition.
“Taxpayer-funded abortions, genital mutilation surgeries for kids, men beating down women in women’s sports, and more DEI and Green New Deal garbage. This is the House Republican approved uniparty minibus!” Ms. Greene wrote on X.
Taxpayer funded abortions, genital mutilation surgeries for kids, men beating down women in women's sports, and more DEI and Green New Deal garbage.
— Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene🇺🇸 (@RepMTG) March 21, 2024
This is the House Republican approved uniparty minibus! pic.twitter.com/ywKZnoshhX
By Jackson Richman and Joseph Lord