As House Speaker Kevin McCarthy grapples with the demands of fiscal conservatives to pass individual appropriation bills, former President Donald Trump has voiced his opinion on a matter that aligns with the concerns of House GOP members opposing McCarthy’s approach.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump emphasized the importance of an approaching deadline and called on Republicans in Congress to defund various aspects of the Biden administration’s government, particularly those related to border security and what he perceived as political prosecutions against him and fellow supporters. He urged Republicans to utilize the power of the purse to defend the country.
Rep. Matt Gaetz, a vocal critic of McCarthy, shared Trump’s message, encouraging his House GOP colleagues to stand firm against a continuing resolution (C.R.) that would enable Democrats to maintain current government funding levels.
During the Trump administration, when Republicans held control of the House, Senate, and the White House, the government faced a record 35-day shutdown from December 2018 to January 2019. This shutdown was primarily over funding for Trump’s border wall, and it resulted in Democrats blocking border-wall funding, leading to protracted legal battles.
McCarthy has expressed optimism about reaching an agreement on a short-term C.R. and advancing longer-term spending legislation. To avoid a government shutdown on October 1, the House and Senate must agree on spending legislation that President Joe Biden can sign into law. However, the partisan nature of these measures and Republican concerns about fiscal appropriations exceeding certain limits have created significant hurdles.
Hardline conservative Republicans are seeking assurances that fiscal 2024 appropriations will not exceed the 2022 top line of $1.47 trillion, an amount $120 billion less than what McCarthy and Biden had agreed upon in May.
Trump has called on congressional Republicans to take a tougher stance against Biden’s immigration policies, particularly regarding open borders and funding for illegal immigration. He emphasized the need for action, stating that Republicans must get tougher in their fight against what he described as “dirty fighters” and “dirty people” on the other side of the aisle.
