Elon Musk, the tech entrepreneur, intensified his criticism of the newly introduced end-of-year funding deal on Wednesday, urging voters to oust any lawmaker supporting the continuing resolution. In a post on his social media platform X, Musk declared, “Any member of the House or Senate who votes for this outrageous spending bill deserves to be voted out in 2 years!”
He further encouraged his followers, stating, “Please call your elected representatives right away to tell them how you feel!” In another message, he warned that lawmakers are trying to pass the bill quickly while the public is distracted.
Musk urges voters to hold elected officials accountable for excessive spending
Musk also demanded a pause on all legislative activity until President-elect Trump assumes office. “No bills should be passed in Congress until Jan 20, when @realDonaldTrump takes office. None. Zero,” he insisted. As Congress works against the clock to pass a stopgap funding bill, known as a continuing resolution (CR), they aim to prevent a government shutdown on Friday.
The bipartisan agreement presented on Tuesday night would extend the funding deadline to March 14, allowing the incoming Republican majorities in both chambers more time to negotiate with Trump regarding funding.
Early Wednesday morning, Musk voiced his opposition to the deal, declaring it “should not pass” and labeling it a “piece of pork.” As a close ally of Trump, Musk is expected to head the newly established “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE), which aims to reduce government expenditures.
Vivek Ramaswamy, co-chair of DOGE, echoed Musk’s sentiments on Wednesday, urging lawmakers to reject the deal if they genuinely care about government efficiency. He described the proposal as “full of excessive spending, special interest giveaways, and pork barrel politics.”
“The legislation will harm many of those it claims to assist. Debt-fueled spending sprees might seem beneficial now, but it’s akin to showering cocaine on an addict: it’s not compassion; it’s cruelty,” Ramaswamy expressed on X. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) acknowledged that he spoke with Musk and Ramaswamy on Tuesday night about their concerns, although it seems their objections have not deterred efforts to block the bill.
Johnson shared during an interview on Fox News’s “Fox & Friends” that he was in a text conversation with Musk and Ramaswamy, explaining the situation. He noted that they had a late-night discussion, during which Ramaswamy indicated understanding the challenging position Johnson is in, saying, “We understand you’re in an impossible position. Everybody knows that.”
“Keep in mind, we still have a razor-thin margin of Republicans. Therefore, any bill needs Democratic votes,” Johnson added. He emphasized that both Musk and Ramaswamy recognize the reality, stating, “He said, ‘It’s not directed to you, Mr. Speaker, but we don’t like the spending.’ I said, ‘Guess what, fellas, I don’t either.’”
Musk and Ramaswamy are among several prominent Trump allies urging lawmakers to oppose the CR, joined by Donald Trump Jr. and Steve Bannon, who also called on Republicans to reject the spending bill on Wednesday.
