I'm not going to get into the depressing details of the continuing resolution that was dropped like a turd on a San Francisco sidewalk. Needless to say, the details are infuriating and the process by which it was put together is as appetizing as making head cheese.
On the one hand, you could say that what we are seeing is business as usual in Congress, so we shouldn't get too upset about it. After all, it only pushes the current funding out until March next year, so it's not like it is a full year of funding all scrunched up into a 1500-page pile of excrement.
Yes, but...We just had an election that was 100% about rejecting business as usual, and one of the key selling points for Trump was the creation of the Department of Government Efficiency (which, ironically, is not going to be a department at all but an outside group of advisors bent on tearing down the current inefficient system and remaking it).
Americans have made clear that they like the idea of DOGE--both Trump and Elon Musk have the same popularity rating, and Trump's transition is getting plaudits from most people, including some Democrats.
Unless @DOGE ends the careers of deceitful, pork-barrel politicians, the waste and corruption will never stop.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 18, 2024
Therefore, there is no choice but to do so.
I wish there was another way, but there is not.
And the CR is the anti-DOGE bill. It has all sorts of provisions that are rejections of the very idea of DOGE and other parts of Trump's agenda. It is a slap in the face of voters. And because of that its future is looking really really shaky, although Speaker Johnson hasn't pulled it back yet.
The 1,500 page spending bill extends the Global Engagement Center. Their stated mission: pic.twitter.com/P1ShsnmV4d
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) December 18, 2024
🚨JUST IN: The Omnibus bill may be pulled off the House floor due to pressure from @elonmusk, per Fox News.
— Western Lensman (@WesternLensman) December 18, 2024
"A post on 𝕏 by Elon Musk sent shockwaves through the Capitol….One source said the bill is now bleeding support from the GOP." pic.twitter.com/2mQOgUMP24
It's almost as if this bill is trying to be the last gasp of the Establishment, and they want to gulp up as much air (or money) as possible before Trump gets into office. Congress is giving itself a pay raise, the Global Engagement Center is getting renewed so it can censor your speech, and some Biden policies are being enshrined into law for the moment.
Some Republicans making noises about DOGE and government reform mean what they say--but far too few. They are latching onto the idea of efficiency in order to shield themselves from the political price to be paid for being members of the uniparty.
Some true believers will be voting against the bill, but don't be surprised if Speaker Johnson cuts a deal with Democrats in a way that enables some swamp creatures to vote no to protect their behinds. If Johnson cuts a deal with Democrats who are getting things they want, some Republicans will use that as cover to vote no.
Rumors are swirling as I write this that the bill is almost dead, and with any luck we will have dodged this bullet. But there are more of them to come.
We need more Republicans in Congress who hate our spending. https://t.co/o5zUza0ayI
— Bryan Griffin (@BryanDGriffin) December 18, 2024
Congressman Chip Roy made this point in a recent caucus that Elon Musk attended--accusing (rightly) many members who were paying lip service to DOGE of being hypocrites. They are jumping on a bandwagon, but when the wagon starts moving many will jump off the first chance they get, hoping their press releases supporting Trump, Musk, and Ramaswamy will immunize them from criticism.
BREAKING: Mike Johnson's new spending bill allows vaccine and mask mandates, vaccine passports, expanded emergency powers, and gain-of-function research. pic.twitter.com/5uZSCVOFSP
— The General (@GeneralMCNews) December 18, 2024
A lot of ire is being aimed at Speaker Johnson, but he has the uneviable task of herding the Republican sheep. I am not certain whether any other Republican Speaker could do much better. That is not so much a defense of Johnson as a recognition that there are a lot of RINOs who like the gravy train they are on, and others in Johnson's place would still have to deal with them.
We should not vote on the CRamnibus less than 24 hours after getting bill text.
— Chip Roy (@chiproytx) December 18, 2024
This has become a Christmas Tree for the swamp and should not pass. pic.twitter.com/Wfscy4oRFl
There are lots of complaints on Capitol Hill that the Freedom Caucus is the real problem, but that is just another way of saying they are the few who aren't willing to bend to the will of the "moderates" who like the status quo. After all, if the "moderates" compromised there wouldn't be a problem getting the votes either.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 18, 2024
The fight over this bill is a preview of the fights to come next year. Sure, Democrats will be a problem when the margins are so tight, but a unified Republican Party could get its agenda passed. Look at what Democrats did with small margins.
Your elected representatives have heard you and now the terrible bill is dead. The voice of the people has triumphed!
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 18, 2024
VOX POPULI
VOX DEI
The swamp is down, but not out.
UPDATE: All I can say is that a lot has been happening as I wrote this. Here's a shot across the bow from Vance and Trump.
A statement from President Donald J. Trump and Vice President-Elect JD Vance:
— JD Vance (@JDVance) December 18, 2024
The most foolish and inept thing ever done by Congressional Republicans was allowing our country to hit the debt ceiling in 2025. It was a mistake and is now something that must be addressed.…
