GOP split: funding bill sparks rift within party
According to Ted Cruz, the bill will continue to subsidize "the reckless spending spree that has driven the country into out-of-control inflation."
The Senate has approved the $1.7trillion government funding bill with 68 votes in favor and 29 against. A vote has been passed down to the House of Representatives, after which the bill will be sent to the White House.
The federal spending package that received the support of 18 Republican senators has caused a major internal split in the GOP, with congressmen such as Ted Cruz voting "no" and John Cornyn voting "yes."
Republican senators divided
Republicans who are against the bill criticize giving another flow of money to the Biden Administration. According to Cruz, the Act will continue to subsidize "the reckless spending spree that has led the country into having uncontrolled inflation" and "will continue reckless immigration policies that have led to open borders" among other things.
Senator John Cornyn, who did endorse the bill, issued a statement praising eight different provisions contained in the bill ranging from national security and defense spending to investments in school safety measures and border security.
He added that despite the "dysfunctional" process of the development of the legislation, "the consequences of a government shutdown directly affect national and economic security" and that "the country cannot afford that kind of disruption."
Rep. Kevin McCarthy described the legislation as a"$2 trillion monstrosity." And he warned Republicans who supported it in the Senate that the bill will be "dead on arrival" in the House.
Rep. Chip Roy is also against the legislation and highlighted his objections to 55 of the earmarks in a thread via Twitter.
Senator Rand Paul also expressed concern about a package that was created "by a few" and "basically in secret."
What will happen in the House?
Ten House Republicans and three elected members had sent a letter to their Republican colleagues in the Senate asking them to stop the omnibus from moving forward. The 13 signatories wrote that they were "compelled to report" that "should the omnibus pass in the remaining days of this Congress" they will oppose and "whip opposition to any legislative priorities of Senators who vote for this bill, including the Republican leader."
The vote in the House of Representatives is still pending.