There’s already trouble in GOP paradise even before Trump takes office. Government funding is about to run out and they need to either pass a budget or punt with a continuing resolution. Otherwise we’re looking, once again, at a government shutdown. There are some Republicans who relish that because they just love to be transgressive. But Speaker Johnson just wants to get past it however he can until Dear Leader can come in and magically make everything work perfectly.
The problem is that the House Republicans are in disarray with some wanting just a clean extension until March while others want to shoot the moon with massive cuts (as usual.) Johnson can’t get anything done unless he gets cooperation from at least a few Democrats as a result.
Grab some popcorn. They’re already at each others’ throats.
House Speaker Mike Johnson was asked to respond to criticism from conservative lawmakers and Elon Musk over the bloated interim spending bill released Tuesday.
In a post on X, Musk said the measure “should not pass.”
During an interview on “Fox & Friends” Wednesday morning, co-host Steve Doocy pointed to Musk’s response and noted that the only way to pass the bill will be with Democrat support.
“Well, I was communicating with Elon last night. Elon, Vivek and I are on a text chain together and I was explaining to them the background of this,” Johnson explained. “And Vivek and I talked last night about almost midnight. And he said, ‘Look, I get it.’ And he said, ‘We understand you’re in an impossible position. Everybody knows that.’
“Remember, guys, we still have just a razor-thin margin of Republicans,” Johnson continued. “So any bill has to have Democrat votes. They understand the situation. They said ‘it’s not directed at you, Mr. Speaker, but we don’t like the spending.’ And I said, ‘guess what, fellas? I don’t either.’”
He went on to assure them that once the Democrats are no longer in control in the next Congress they will be able to do what they want. (I don’t think they’re actually “in control” in the House right now and the margin will be even tighter in the next Congress but whatever.)
I think Adam Kinzinger said it best:
Seriously, who elected Musk and Ramaswamy to anything? Ever? This is insane.
Update — lol:
Aaaand, scene!