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.
The main beneficiaries of this bill are the recipients of leftist pet projects and excessive spending, while the American people will be forced to foot the bill while continuing to suffer. They will continue to push anti-energy policies that have caused gas and home heating prices to rise and their soft policies on crime will continue to endanger our communities.
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."
For months, I have spoken out about this dysfunctional process that has left Congress with two bad decisions after completely ignoring the regular appropriations process. This last-minute funding bill was negotiated behind closed doors by Democratic leaders and, despite their unilateral authority to set the timeline, they have failed in one of the most basic responsibilities. This legislation supports the important missions of our military, border security and homeland defense, as well as the brave men and women behind them.
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.
Agreed. Except no need to whip-when I'm Speaker, their bills will be dead on arrival in the House if this nearly $2T monstrosity is allowed to move forward over our objections and the will of the American people. https://t.co/WCC477R4IM
- Kevin McCarthy (@GOPLeader) December 20, 2022
Rep. Chip Roy is also against the legislation and highlighted his objections to 55 of the earmarks in a thread via Twitter.
The omnibus bill will funnel MILLIONS of taxpayer dollars to LGBT groups peddling radical gender ideology - many of those $$$ will go to orgs that target YOUTH
You won't believe how ridiculous some of these earmarks are⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️
- Rep. Chip Roy Press Office (@RepChipRoy) December 22, 2022
Senator Rand Paul also expressed concern about a package that was created "by a few" and "basically in secret."
Thousands of pages created by a few, basically in secret. I am opposed to adding a one trillion deficit to our total bill of $31 trillion. So I oppose the whole process: the spending and the debt that is added.
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."
13 @HouseGOP to @SenateGOP: "...we are obliged to inform you that if any omnibus passes in the remaining days of this Congress, we will oppose and whip opposition to any legislative priority of those senators who vote for this bill - including the... leader. "#StandUpForAmerica pic.twitter.com/AVAHmESbKF
- Chip Roy (@chiproytx) December 20, 2022
The vote in the House of Representatives is still pending.
