It appears that no matter how much conservative Republicans on Capitol Hill seek to change the conversation and process on funding the U.S. government, the “system” continues to prevail.
The latest evidence came on Friday when President Joe Biden signed a continuing resolution (CR) to fund the government through early March.
But Rep. Matt Gaetz said he’s not giving up.
Read: Florida Reps. Matt Gaetz, Cory Mills Slam Pentagon Chief Austin For “Willful Dereliction Of Duty.”
The Fort Walton Beach Republican said on Friday that despite the setback of yet another CR, he will push the GOP’s leadership to get funding and resources to try to bring some order and security to the southern border as well as cuts in federal spending.
Biden enacted the bill as its liberal supporters, including many Republicans, argued the $1.66 trillion measure was necessary to avoid a partial government shutdown, which would have kicked in on Saturday without it. Alleged shutdowns are frequently cited as the reason for such action, instead of actually passing budget bills.
CBS News noted on Friday that “this was the third stopgap measure Congress has passed since September.” That runs counter to what Republicans demanded when they took control of the House a year ago.
Some conservatives in Congress are now grumbling that it may be time for House Speaker Mike Johnson to go under the same rule that toppled former GOP Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
For instance, Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia said last week that she pledged to Johnson that she would advocate to “vacate” his post if the House continued to push CRs and no border security measures.
Read: “Nightmare” Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz Slams Senate GOP, Schumer’s Illegal Immigration Plan
Johnson, whom Gaetz called an “upgrade” over McCarthy, is now in the odd position of having Democrats say publicly that they will rescue him from the wrath of his own party.
On Thursday, Gaetz announced on X that he would reject the “turd sandwich” CR because it failed to address the border crisis, to “defang the weaponization of government,” and to make sufficient cuts in spending.
Gaetz added that House Republicans “have failed the test of fighting in this moment. In March, we have to continue to try to break the fever.”
He reiterated that position on Friday.
“America should not be governed by continuing resolution – it is an unserious system designed to avoid having an actual review of the agencies and programs of the federal government,” he said in an email to constituents. “
“Ronald Reagan aptly noted that the closest thing you get to immortality is a federal program, and when we embrace this style of budgeting, we turn that into a self-fulfilling prophecy. This has become an enduring stain on the fiscal health of our Nation.”
Read: Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz Rips NYT Report On House Governing “Is This The Cowbell You Want More Of?”
He added, “Despite our slim majority, House Republicans must be more assertive and work to change this paradigm by March. We cannot continue with excessive spending on agencies that are violating the rights of the Americans, an unsecured border, and unnecessary foreign aid.”
“So far, House leadership has not prioritized securing the Southern border as a condition for government funding. However, Speaker Mike Johnson has assured me that before the next deadline in March, the House will pass border-security bills and pressure the Senate to act,” Gaetz continued.
“Only by holding firm and forcing the Senate to pass border-security legislation in exchange for funding the government do we serve the interests of the American people.”
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