The US House of Representatives will vote on a colossal $1.2 trillion spending package less than 24 hours after its release. The bill, which spans more than 1,000 pages, was made public in the early hours of Thursday morning, at a time when most Americans were not awake to review its contents.
The release of the omnibus bill follows the House’s approval of a $460 billion package earlier this month aimed at funding key federal agencies through the end of the budget year.
Negotiations are underway on a second, substantial package that includes defense spending, with leaders of both chambers under pressure to fully fund all federal agencies by the March 22 deadline.
Jake Sherman, the founder of Punchbowl News, reported Wednesday that “senior aides involved in drafting the government funding deal indicate the text could slip to Thursday. However, President Johnson and the Senate Democratic leadership are pushing hard for a vote by Friday.”
“Get ready to vote on a spending bill (over 1,000 pages long) on Friday. You can see it on Thursday. Perhaps.”
This is shameful.
Adults don’t treat other adults this way.
Lawmakers of both political parties should be deeply offended by this tactic by The Firm™️. https://t.co/lc0WeWMY8M
—Mike Lee (@BasedMikeLee) March 20, 2024
The contents of the second spending package, revealed in the early hours of Thursday at 2.32am, have drawn fierce criticism.
Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) echoed the call for greater transparency: “Congress must be more transparent with the American people. The $1 trillion bill that dropped at 3 a.m. contains 1,400 appropriations and spans over 1,000 pages. There was no need for this bill to be kept under lock and key until today. We must overhaul this flawed process and bring fiscal sanity to Washington NOW.”
Congress needs to be more transparent with the American people. The $1 trillion bill that dropped at 3 a.m. has 1,400 appropriations and is made up of more than 1,000 pages.
There was no reason for this bill to be under lock and key until today. We must correct this gross process and impose fiscal sanity on Washington…
—Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) March 21, 2024
Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) criticized the bill for its excessive spending and lack of oversight: “With less than 24 hours to review it – #SwampOmnibus – 1000+ pages and $1.2 trillion – breaks spending limits to fund the WHO, woke DOD policies, an armed FBI headquarters, and utterly fail to address the problem of the mass release of criminals across our borders by Progressive Democrats. No Republican should vote for it.”
Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-GA) also denounced the trial, saying, “Washington is absolutely devastated. The Swamp has released its second spending package: a 1,012-page tome that earmarks $1.2 trillion in taxpayer dollars for catastrophic policies.”
At 2:32, while the Americans slept, Swamp released its second half of the omnibus.
1,012 pages spending 1.2 trillion taxpayer dollars on disastrous policies.
The House is expected to vote again TOMORROW MORNING on this monstrosity.
Washington is more than destroyed. pic.twitter.com/AlZCDYWBKK
— Representative Andrew Clyde (@Rep_Clyde) March 21, 2024
Congressman Clyde took to social media to detail the consequences of the rushed omnibus bill, stating: “The second Swamp spending package is finally out. Follow me for all the political victories that were surrendered during the behind-the-scenes negotiations.”
“Surrender: Prohibit DHS funds from being used to damage or remove President Trump’s border wall.”
“Surrender: Cut funding to Biden’s CBP One app, which is being used to funnel millions of illegal aliens into our country.”
“Surrender: Prohibit DHS funds from being used to diminish current immigration law that allows ICE to partner with state and local law enforcement to identify and remove illegal aliens.”
“Surrender: Prohibit DHS funds from being used to implement memos containing disastrous open border policies.”
“Surrendered: Require Secretary Mayorkas to prioritize ICE funds to detain illegal aliens and ensure that illegal aliens on the non-detained registry are enrolled in the ATD program with GPS tracking.”
“Surrender: Cut Funding to the Biden Administration’s Sweeping Asylum Rule.”
“Surrender: Ban ICE funds from being used to pay for or perform abortions.”
“Surrender: Prohibit DHS funds from being used to administer hormones or transgender surgeries to illegal aliens in ICE custody.”
“Surrendered: Defunding DHS DEI Executive Orders and CRT Initiatives.”
“Surrender: Prohibit DHS funds from being used to support a disinformation governance board or any entity engaged in censorship.”
“Surrender: Cut funding for DHS proxy government censorship.”
“Surrender: Cut funding to ongoing DHS efforts to transport illegal aliens into the United States”
“Surrender: Cut funding to DHS policies that severely limit Border Patrol agents’ ability to pursue illegal aliens.”
“Surrender: Prohibit DHS funds from being used to purchase or operate drones manufactured by the CCP or other adversaries.”
“Surrender: Prohibit DHS funds from being used to issue employment authorization documents to illegal aliens.”
“Surrender: Prohibit DHS from reallocating border wall funds to other purposes.”
“Surrender: Prohibit DHS funds from being used to change the United States Pledge of Allegiance.”
“Surrender: Blocking COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement for DHS Employees.”
“Surrender: Cut Funding to DHS Asylum Rule.”