Some Republicans fume after Trump kills spending deal
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President-elect Donald Trump speaks at a press conference at Mar-a-Lago on Dec. 16, 2024. Photo: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images.
Some Republican lawmakers were left fuming on Wednesday after President-elect Trump abruptly torpedoed House Speaker Mike Johnson's (R-La.) deal with Democrats to keep the government funded until March.
Why it matters: The package was reviled by some conservatives, but many lawmakers in both parties saw it as a golden opportunity to secure long sought-after legislative priorities.
- "Now what we're going to have is ... a lot of disgruntled people who thought they were getting something done out their way out the door," said one House Republican.
- Trump tanked Johnson's bill on Wednesday by saying in a joint statement with his Vice President-elect JD Vance that it should include a debt ceiling increase.
What they're saying: Another House Republican, speaking on the condition of anonymity to speak critically of the president-elect, told Axios that "Trump shot his foot" by killing the bill.
- "All the farmers' [feet] too," the lawmaker added, referring to the $10 billion in farm aid and the farm bill extension in the bill.
- Other lawmakers simply want to get out of town for the holidays: "Certainly it would be good to go and get this over with ... I want to get it over with," said Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-Ala.).
The other side: Rep. Andy Barr (R-Ky.), whose restrictions on outbound investment to China were included in the bill, argued that Republicans largely support Trump's decision.
- "My work ... was in there. That's going to fall out," Barr acknowledged. But he said his phone was "ringing off the hook" with constituents arguing against the bill.
- Aderholt also said diplomatically: "If there's some stuff in the bill that we need to know about that's so bad, then I'd rather know about it before a vote."
Zoom in: The first GOP lawmaker who spoke anonymously told Axios there is also a feeling Trump gave Johnson room to negotiate and then "pulled the rug out from under him" when confidantes like Musk turned against the bill.
- That is "likely going to be a reoccurring theme in 2025," the lawmaker said, adding, "Anybody could have predicted this. This is like standard operating procedure."
Editor's note: This story has been correct to reflect that Donald Trump is currently the president-elect (not the president).
