President-elect Trump and Vice President-elect J.D. Vance said Wednesday they were opposed to a massive government spending deal that has come under fire from some Republicans over its size and scope ahead of a Friday funding deadline.
Trump in a lengthy statement said lawmakers should pass a “streamlined spending bill that doesn’t give Chuck Schumer and the Democrats everything they want.”
“Republicans want to support our farmers, pay for disaster relief, and set our country up for success in 2025,” Trump said. “The only way to do that is with a temporary funding bill WITHOUT DEMOCRAT GIVEAWAYS combined with an increase in the debt ceiling. Anything else is a betrayal of our country. Republicans must GET SMART and TOUGH.
“If Democrats threaten to shut down the government unless we give them everything they want, then CALL THEIR BLUFF,” he added.
Trump’s comments come after several of his allies and a slew of House Republicans spent the day venting about the roughly 1,500 page bill, which was unveiled Tuesday evening. Lawmakers must pass a funding bill and get it to President Biden’s desk before midnight Friday to avert a government shutdown.
The proposed package combines a continuation of government funding through March 14 with a number of add-ons, including disaster assistance for hurricanes damage and farmers; a health care deal that includes reforms to the pharmacy benefit manager industry; an extension of the farm bill; and a provision that could set the stage for the Washington Commanders to return to playing their home games in D.C. instead of Maryland.
Trump in his statement specifically took issue with proposed pay raises for lawmakers and with a provision that would allow House offices to block the disclosure of House data. He also called for lawmakers to debate raising the debt ceiling as part of spending talks, suggesting Democrats may not be willing to play ball when it comes up for discussion in June.
Sources told The Hill that Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) is weighing a backup option that would amount of a “clean” continuing resolution, dropping additional provisions that had been included in the deal negotiated by congressional leaders.
But it’s unclear if Democrats would support that alternative. Johnson has an extremely narrow margin to pass a bill with only Republican votes in the House, and Democrats hold a slim majority in the Senate.
“House Republicans have been ordered to shut down the government. And hurt the working class Americans they claim to support,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) posted on X. “You break the bipartisan agreement, you own the consequences that follow.”
A handful of prominent Trump allies and advisers earlier Wednesday urged lawmakers to reject the spending proposal and suggested those who support it should face consequences.
“Any member of the House or Senate who votes for this outrageous spending bill deserves to be voted out in 2 years!” Elon Musk, a close Trump ally who is leading an advisory commission to cut government spending, posted on X, the social media platform he owns.
Musk later suggested no new legislation should pass until Trump takes office, effectively endorsing a government shutdown just ahead of the holidays.
Vivek Ramaswamy, who was tapped by Trump to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) alongside Musk, also posted a lengthy message criticizing the size and scope of the funding bill.
Steve Bannon, Trump’s one-time chief White House strategist, said on his War Room podcast Wednesday that the bill should fail and suggested Johnson should not continue as Speaker after his handling of the spending fight.
“He’s got to go. And people sitting there, ‘Well, President Trump supports him.’ Well hey, President Trump supports him until he doesn’t support him,” Bannon said.
