The 1,547 page “continuing resolution bill” is available for review HERE. They are calling this a “CR” (continuing resolution) bill to fund government. However, only approximately 10 pages (15 to 25) are the funding mechanism; the rest is a regulatory construct, an attempt to circumvent the Trump administration, and position the federal government to defend against structural changes President Trump is intending to initiate.
Within THE BILL, in an effort to force Republicans to support it, there is a section approximately 500 pages, that spends and directs $100 billion for disaster relief in Florida, Georgia, Tennessee and North Carolina following the devasting late season hurricanes. The disaster relief portion should be a stand-alone bill but is included in the massive omnibus spending package because it creates votes to support.
President Trump is well aware of the mechanics inside the Omnibus (CR) package and, together with Elon Musk, has announced his opposition to it.
President Trump is urging congress to pass only the portion of the bill that would tie up loose ends and keep government funded before he takes office next month. His direction is to raise the government’s borrowing authority –debt ceiling– and extending government funding.
Doing a short-term funding CR means lawmakers must strip out all the non-funding elements backed by Democrats. This would allow only Republicans to pass the bill. The stuff Democrats want would be removed. Currently the Democrats are aligned to support the bill and vote for it because the majority of the bill is toxic regulatory changes.
REUTERS – […] Democrats currently hold a majority in the Senate, and Democratic President Joe Biden remains in power until Trump takes office on Jan. 20.
The current bill would fund government agencies at current levels and provide $100 billion for disaster relief and $10 billion in farm aid. It also includes a wide range of unrelated provisions, such as a pay raise for lawmakers and a crackdown on hidden hotel fees.
Trump said Congress should limit the bill to temporary spending and disaster relief and also raise the national debt ceiling now before it comes to a head next year.
“Unless the Democrats terminate or substantially extend the Debt Ceiling now, I will fight ’till the end,” Trump said on his Truth Social (read more)
If the spending package is not complete the non-essential elements of the government will “shut down” a non-technical term that really means little in the grand scheme of things because congress has defined everything as ‘essential.’
A statement from President Donald J. Trump and Vice President-Elect JD Vance:
The most foolish and inept thing ever done by Congressional Republicans was allowing our country to hit the debt ceiling in 2025. It was a mistake and is now something that must be addressed.
Meanwhile, Congress is considering a spending bill that would give sweetheart provisions for government censors and for Liz Cheney. The bill would make it easier to hide the records of the corrupt January 6 committee—which accomplished nothing for the American people and hid security failures that happened that day. This bill would also give Congress a pay increase while many Americans are struggling this Christmas.
Increasing the debt ceiling is not great but we’d rather do it on Biden’s watch. If Democrats won’t cooperate on the debt ceiling now, what makes anyone think they would do it in June during our administration? Let’s have this debate now. And we should pass a streamlined spending bill that doesn’t give Chuck Schumer and the Democrats everything they want.
Republicans want to support our farmers, pay for disaster relief, and set our country up for success in 2025. The only way to do that is with a temporary funding bill WITHOUT DEMOCRAT GIVEAWAYS combined with an increase in the debt ceiling. Anything else is a betrayal of our country.
Republicans must GET SMART and TOUGH. If Democrats threaten to shut down the government unless we give them everything they want, then CALL THEIR BLUFF. It is Schumer and Biden who are holding up aid to our farmers and disaster relief.
THIS CHAOS WOULD NOT BE HAPPENING IF WE HAD A REAL PRESIDENT. WE WILL IN 32 DAYS! (SOURCE)
Dissatisfied with Mike Johnson is an understatement. Every intention to have him removed. Will we have gaetz reactivated for the task?
THE SPENDING BILL WOULD HAVE BLOCKED RFK JR. FROM UPDATING HHS PROTOCOL ON VACCINE INJURIES
You forgot to add: “They also added: “An injury or death related to a administered at a time when the vaccine was a covered countermeasure subiect to a declaration under section 319F-3 (b) SHALL NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR COMPENSATION under the Program.”
In other words: if your loved-one died due to an adverse reaction to an “mRNA therapy” that was fully known to be deadly, you now have no recourse. Well, I think that this “legal guarantee for drug manufacturers” should be worth a cool $500 million to me, don’t you? Just sneak it right in here, on page 757.
For nearly eighty years, these people have never undergone “public scrutiny.” They could simply bury something, on page seven-hundred-and-something. And no one would ever find it … including the Members of Congress who unknowingly “voted for it.” And so, this is precisely what they all did.
Until “21st Century technology” swiftly exposed them. Suddenly, “that number of pages was not actually so large.”
The bill is truly shocking!
So I have a question. If our elected representatives pass a law that says they can give themselves a gazillion dollar a year salary, imprison anyone they desire and be immune to any consequences of their behavior, is there anything we can do about it?
That seems to be their current mindset as evidenced by this bill.
Our Founding Fathers knew what to do about it.
How can anyone have a question about Speaker Mike Johnson’s loyalties now? Natalie Winters referred to him as the new ‘Mike Pence.’
because…HE IS !!!!!…get him out ASAP !!!!! mickey johson always looks like he did eat not only a canary but cat too…that’s include on picture VSGPDJT/ELON/RFKJr eating Mcdonald’d burgers………
They got to Johnson somehow. If I were a betting man, I would say that he is comprised and that the Democrats are using that as leverage. He changed as soon as he took over as Speaker and now is virtually indistinguishable from the people attacking him.
they didn’t have to “get to” Johnson
he was alread in
This!
Just a thought – It would seem that Speaker Johnson is absolutely compromised – we saw him in those photos with President Trump and the others, including RFK, Jr. on Trump’s plane when they were having McDonald’s – there was Mike, with a beaming smile – so, you think, oh how great, he is literally and figuratively on board and then he goes and pulls this –
I would agree too that he must be compromised but would add that I think it could be the Republicans – the RINO’s – who are using that as leverage.
We voters need to clean house in the next primary.
All House members are up for re-election and 1/3rd of the Senate.
I keep thinking the same thing and wondering why President Trump would have him in the inner circle at events. I’m remembering how he looked so squirrely at the MSG UFC fight. I can’t believe Trump would be blind to this going into his 2nd term.
Trump is feeling Johnson out and keeping his enemies close???
Yes; DJT brought Mike along to fully experience the MAGA intensity, so that Mike would – hopefully – fully appreciate the wonder of it all.
Well, Mike failed.
Correct, Johnson failed not PDJT.
We can do nothing until we stop Demonrats and RINOs from counting the ballots.
And Mike Johnson is a good guy?
Glad Musk called him out. Time for Trump to do so as well and cut ties with him.
Yes, under the current law, if they commit certain acts, their constitutional protections are null/void. The issue is ‘who’ get’s to be the arbiter of this decision? I’m of the opinion, the citizens are the juror, but like so many things, how do you trigger an action?
Under the law, Congress, IMHO, hasn’t had authority or rights to Constitutional protection for many years.
I think the good news is the Honorables are willing to confirm President Trump’s cabinet nominees. The bad news is they want a Porkulus spending bill and a Pay Raise in exchange.
Mike Johnson ran the bill up the flag pole, and suddenly martini glasses at parties all over the East Coast started crashing to the floor. This Democrat Bill, delivered by wheelbarrow to Johnson’s office can pass, of that there is no doubt, but at what cost? What is missing? The Republican Bill, where is it?
Brinksmanship. Here we go again with a Christmas Eve Continuing Resolution, delivered from Santa’s Sleigh at the last minute, to avert a Government Shutdown. The scenario is always the same. It will pass by somebody switching their vote at the last possible minute, and then they will all stampede to the airports and the train stations.
Republicans, if we want to be a governing party, we must have the capability to write our own legislation. We can’t keep relying on the Democrats to write the bills. (The lobbyists are all Democrats.) Yes, it is fun to stand back and criticize the bills the Democrats put forward, but if there is no alternative coming from us, then we get the same results — bigger government — over and over again.
Not many remember, but President Richard Nixon had a staff in the White House basement of Republicans writing legislation. Our party has had nothing like that since. He used them to generate bills for Congress continuously, and that kept the spotlight on Dick Nixon. It was highly effective. Having a staff with the capability to do that is desirable.
So, apparently we are going to throw the baby out with the bathwater, as Conservatives line up to get rid of Mike Johnson. Of course the alternative is Hakeem Jeffries. The broken Nancy Pelosi has stated that Jeffries will be the Speaker in January. The Dems will get the Porkulus bill they want, AND get rid of the Republican Speaker at the same time, WITH the help of the Conservatives.
President Ronald Reagan had an 11th Commandment: “Thou shalt not speak ill of thy fellow Republican.” Within that is the wisdom of how to win, based on experience and intelligence.
Let’s just say the unee parte e is all over this thing and smells worse than the Louisiana swamps.
Last dying breaths before they release the ???? This just ain’t right and we need to keep our prayers going strong. Trillions at stake and only God can stop the evil they want to thrust upon us.
God Bless Treepers and continue to live our best lives. ❤️🙏🏽
Yup. Nominees = hostages and the Gates smear is being held until after the vote. Nice bunch of people we got there running things.
So that explains why politicians don’t hold each other accountable. Like Loudermilk’s J6 investigation yesterday. He gave Pelosi a pass.
Well, I don’t watch reruns, especially reruns of boring movies. So, I’ll see if I can find some old Christmas movies, maybe Charlie Brown or something wholesome like that.
I do appreciate your work keeping us informed though, SD. Thank you. Hope you have a blessed Christmas.
I love Reagan but I do not buy into loyalty at all costs. Johnson is a democrat in the areas that matter. Pence was functionally one as well, including Barr and others. If we self censor then we are resigning ourselves to their treachery.
In the three months prior to the election in November, it has been reported that Johnson personally campaigned for Republican candidates in 45 Congressional Districts. That’s a lot of time on airplanes, in cabs, and in motels. If I was in Congress, that is the kind of guy I would put in leadership. Fakes don’t operate that way. He didn’t have to do all that.
You mean, instead of staying put and doing the WORK of Congress?
Well said – self-censoring is just another word for COWARDICE and TREASON.
Agreed. And Reagan was elected 40 yrs ago before Democrats were Marxists and Republicans were Democrats. IMHO, we have three parties now: Marxists (AOC, Jeffries, Sanders etc), Democrats (RINOS, Manchin, Sinema) and MAGA (Trump, Ron Johnson, Rick Scott, Rand Paul, the voters)
Thanks for the reminder.
If the faux Republicans can betray us time and time again and we say okay because they aren’t as bad as Democrats, then we are done and the Democrats the defacto rulers. At the very least we could save ourselves the cost of Repub congress critters’ salary by sending them all home and just make do with Democrats since they run things anyway
Sink the Omnibus Bill
Thanks Mr.Elon Musk……
Nancy Pelosi ran the table every time with just 222 members and majority, Johnson has 220 and can’t do crap. Or won’t do, to speak clearly. The problem is the Republicans refuse to act as a party.
But somebody better get a clue up there and soon or come midterms. A lot of them will be gone. Because there’s quite a few people who just didn’t vote on the Republican side because they were just so discouraged, and there’s another huge group of wishy-washy people who will now vote Republican. Now that they understand that it’s okay to do so. I predict the Republicans will have a strong midterm this time
There are very few democrats masquerading as republicans. There are tons of republicans masquerading as democrats. Those “republicans” vote according to what advances the democrat (aka, Uniparty) agenda. Sometimes they take turns being the “cross the aisle-maverick” traitor.
That is why the Uniparty always wins.
there is a solution..sent them all to “VACATION”in the southwestern Cuba called G*T………..minus cong. Massie and very few others…..
Actually I think its the other way around. There are lots of demonrats masquerading as republicans. There are few if any republicans masquerading as demonrats.
Remember that during the Clinton and Obama years many democrats at all levels of gov’t switched to Republican.
So I suspect you are very correct.
(Sen. Bob Dole was a lifelong democrat before running for elected office. He found the people where he lived. and in Kansas in general, were mainly Republican. Ran and won as such. I’m not impugning him because what he did was practical if you really want to be elected. Dole was an honorable man as far as I know. He was a disabled vet, served in WW2 with the 10th Mountain Division when he was wounded in Italy. Had he run and been elected as a democrat — he would not be the kind we’re stuck with now. )
Love the fact that Elon has threatened to primary these rinos who don’t cooperate.
Nothing will change @midterms until the states use one day voting with paper ballots and voter ID. The machines are corrupted and the proof is Tina Peters in Prison for following a real Law. Jena Griswold is roaming free after Breaking a Real
Law.
A real law is passed by a legislature not made up by the SoS and a bunch of corrupt Lawyers wearing Black Robes.
Our great President could not have sent out a better post!
We are once again going to see who is compromised and who is a Patriot.
Hope they know we are now keeping score!!
It has already been pointed out that the “continuing resolution” could, in fact, consist of just one page. Changing only the date of the previous “resolution.”
But we simply must realize that these people have spent their entire lives(!) doing things precisely like this. They have never been subject to “public scrutiny.” Therefore, they really don’t understand at all how to react to it.
Is it don’t understand or don’t care? So much cheating and it was refined during state elections. Why fear the shooter when the bullets are blank?
’bout darn time they started answering to We the People and not their WEF/CHICOM/Globalist owners.
They are also very verbose. Apparently they think it makes them look busy when it only makes them look stupid.
While you have a budget, Congress doesn’t
Of all the stupid stuff in this CR, this stood out for me as being really stupid
9 ‘‘(5) FOREIGN PERSON.—The term ‘foreign person’ means a person that is not a United States person”
They can’t even say the word ‘citizen’ anymore because they do not believe in citizenship.
But we do.
Gipper…..they think we are all stupid as dems…..so they can play this stupid games since 011/09/2020…..if not long before that.
Nag dabbit!!! I never knew that…
The real joke of his “spending package” is that the title descriptor “spending package” are the ONLY accurate terms in it.
Every bit of this money is “authorized” for line items listed … YET … only a fraction of the funds authorized will end up being spent on the listed items while the BALANCE of the “AUTHORIZED TOTAL” is siphoned via REPROGRAMMING for SPENDING on the “announced EMERGENCY cause of the day” (i.e. Ukraine, various foreign aid things, various social welfare things, etc. etc.). Then in 3 months congress will be back with another “SPENDING PACKAGE”, CR, and DEBT LIMIT INCREASE to cover the shortfalls created by REPROGRAMMING in the originally authorized spending lines.
This is how congress and the executive have dodged public scrutiny to pay for “EMERGENCY causes of the day” and put up the facade of authoring money to serve the republic.
The first target of DOGE needs to be the existing budgeting/spending process I described above!! Listing redundancies and waste can be done by any low level staffers as those targets as so easy to find that “cave man can do it”. Unless the process I describe is stopped and the Federal Funding Process returns to the process prescribed by LAW … everything else is wasted effort.
Schumer tried to sneak it in and Johnson put on his Democrat blue knee pads.
Of course everything is essential when it comes to them and their government inside their playpen.
When it comes to a fake pandemic, essential takes on a new meaning.
The fact that they want to be able to “opt out” of Obamacare is part of the thick iceberg ready to sink their constituents.
You can truly take almost every single issue addressed in this bill and spend days and days talking about the irony, and the total mind twisting absurdity of these things.
As if there was no election in November, and 77+ million people didn’t get to voice their disgust with these uni-tarians.
And what’s with Mike Johnson – imagine what a turncoat he is. What kind of person has God put in front of the American people? God is certainly sending a message with this guy – who professes to be a “believer”. I could go on for hours
False prophets speak with forked tongues.
God is certainly sending a message with this guy – who professes to be a “believer”.
Pharisee-ism? All about the image without any substance?
This IMO explains his election as Speaker.
Exactomundo!
Johnson and pence, both traitors to their own words and our country.
“Hey @ SpeakerJohnson
just FYI
It won’t matter how quickly anyone tries and ram through a bill
We’ve already written all the code, thanks to today
X will be summarizing the next bill not within hours, not within minutes, but within seconds
This is not an exaggeration. I’ll publish some handy scripts”
Now that is a useful application of technical genius!
Speaker Johnson should do exactly the bidding of Trump and Musk now,…strip out the Dim Garbage and pass the limited, clean CR now,….. And tell the conniving Marxist Dims that if the Fed Gov shuts down,…. it happens under Biden’s watch,… While the angry, Demented fool is already away on his early Christmas vacay.
DOGE is already working for MAGA. Both the Covid and Biden spending pandemics are finally over now,… “Timber!”
The parts of the Federal Govt that would be shutdown, can be shutdown permanently on 20JAN2025.
I say shut it down…
The bastards that are whining to keep it ‘open’ are the same bastards who have ruined Christmas for generations upon generations…
No quarter…
Trust God.
Fear not.
i am spending some time today thinking about how Congress is reacting to two new realities that are related:
a. the effects and consequences of the Chevron deference ruling by SCOTUS: that agencies do NOT have the power to exceed the explicit language of the laws as passed by Congress. There is going to be some legal battles as this will get challenged in the new Trump Administration. Be prepared. The law is now on President Trumps’ side and more specifically, agencies will have to defend their rules, politics, and conduct against a myriad of law suits that will definitely be happening very soon …
b. That President Trump has made it clear he is going to be downsizing the federal government, and likely mass firing many “officials”. And specifically hammering and defeating any bill, Cr, and debt ceiling authorization coming from Congress that does not include language that legally accepts the downsizing and elimination of so many agencies and spending.
transfer of power, stage 4, is fully in motion now. See this and recognize the bigger war we are in. Be unafraid.
there are going to be wins and there a going to be setbacks. But we will win, because the corruption is too obvious to ignore. EVERYONE GETS IT>
there is a new dynamic in play also that is worth noting: the “left” is absolutely crushed over the defeat in this election. This emotionally deranged segment of our society is predictable: they are blaming their own for its failures and that anger as has been observed in the past will destroy their party. As much as they hate orange man bad, they have a new kind of motivation to take revenge of their own for failing to give them what they wanted.
this is good. let the enemy fail…give them praise for dematerializing the corrupt regime that let them own. Remind them what we know: Trump is a better democratic choice than any of their own so-called leaders. Obviously so, he just clobbered the fool KOWmala…IN decisive overwhelming fashion. Democrats got owned. Your leaders failed you. They do not have the ability to win. Trump has done more and will do more FOR DEMOCRATS than they ever could. Give them a list of reasons to not vote for their own. Give them the list of successes that Trump made possible that made their lives better, easier. Do this over and over and over and over…remind them…..help them help us. It is the opposite of alinsky…it’s telling the TRUTH!
God Bless America
This is wondeful advice! Thank you. (And please repeat it, often, in the coming weeks; I tend to slip into reactive Dem-bashing mode, rather than positive…)
Ridiculous that the Swamp is trying to “Trump-proof” the government instead of fixing the system!
D.C. for too long has been little more than a conspiracy of thieves.
In the movie It’s A Wonderful Life Jimmy Stewart is shown that if not for him his town would have become trashed, without morals, ugly. It reminds me of what a lack of integrity in high places has done to the USA.
They are not “Trump-proofing” the government. They are The American people-proofing the government. As President Trump has so often said. Its not him they are after, its USA Americans-the American people. He is just in their way.
The largest organized crime organization in history goes by the moniker “Congress”.
Dem House leader Hakeem Jeffries tweets that “Republicans will take the blame for the government shutdown.”
And being the cowardly capitulators and enablers that they are, it will not occur to the Rs to turn the tables and state that on the contrary it is they who have refused to impoverish further the American citizenry who have been pushed to the brink and beyond by the worst, most evil administration in this nation’s history. That it is they who are competent, a safe pair of hands looking after the public who have placed their trust in them to run this country in a competent and responsible manner.
At least that option would be open to Rs if they weren’t the authors of this for the moment dead abomination…alas.
Thomas Massie for Speaker.
Elon Musk has blasted Jefferies now on X, telling the Fool that Americans are not stupid. A shut down now will occur under Biden, not Trump.
(MC, B🌲)
I have just seen Musk’s short, sharp slap down of this reprehensible creature who has climbed the ladder to the position he holds and pulls it up after himself as all plantation overseers do, DaPicayune.
He is ably assisted by one Thom Tillis who has tweeted that unless western NC is given the monies appropriated in the ugly CR, he will do everything in his power to oppose what comes after. This from a person who, as far as I have read, has been complete and inhumanely AWOL since Helene’s utter devastation.
I know there are many reprehensible individuals entrenched in power, but for the moment I’m struggling to think of one more so than this pontificating, virtue signaling man (???) now pretending he cares one jot for anyone but himself and his position.
(Bless you, dear friend. And a Merry Christmas I wish for you and all whom you love 🌲😘)
From North Carolina. Dear Thom Tillis. We know you are grand standing and using the terrible suffering of your western North Carolina constituents as a vehicle for your upcoming political campaign. We are not pleased by this and you will be voted out in the mid terms. You could have used your position as our Senator to do the right thing, but you chose political gai instead.
I couldn’t have phrased it better, Lindy.
And suddenly he became more odious.
No, Hakeem and you other GOPrick RINOrats, we now own the true media. The fake news can’t do squat. Real news gets out in seconds before you grifters even twitch.
GOPrick RINOrats won’t turn the tables and state the contrary…….but, we will happily do it for them.
Methinks the Great Awakening proceeds apace.
Betsy. …..wholeheartedly agree with you Thomas Massie for SOTH…
You betcha, sejmon.
Why?
Exhibit A
And B.
I’m sure Exhibits C through Z are out there somewhere.
Absolutely correct! Shout from the rooftops! NO MORE D C bullshit !!!
No matter what the rats act like winners and the RINOS act like losers.
The republicans should tell Hakeen to SHUT UP AND SIT DOWN – THEY LOST.
Yes, the Dems lost, and they go to the back of the bus.
(Obama, Barack)
Exactly – but they won’t because they are cowards and traitors to our country. As Trump used to say GETTEMOUTTAHERE!
More than a few Americans are so strapped and weighted down this Christmas.
The threat of ‘the blame for the government shutdown‘ will likely be met with a smirk if not open applause by the public.
Especially as people learn that a 40 PERCENT pay rise was stuffed in there…like an apple into the mouth of the roasted pig that Congress is.
More than even the median income of most Americans.
A giant pay hike for our “representatives,” and for us? More GoF biolabs, lockdowns, masks, injections and censorship lest we complain. They can ALL, each and every one, go to hell.
You have just listed a basic outline of every Globalist’s agenda.
Which tells us exactly who these people work for.
Why has it taken the Republicans so long to emulate the tactics of the Democrats? The Dems has had George Soros running their Party, riots, immigration scams, war scams and social scams for decades, but the Repubs played stupid! Until Now; when Trump rolls out Elon Musk to be the MUSCLE of the Party, to kick ass back into line! With his wealth, both Soros and Musk are impervious to the law, justices and politics! It’s a sorry day to see that POLITICS has to be contained by WEALTH, but whatever counter-balances the evil of Democrats is good!
According to the Washington Post, it seems this particular bill might not go through in this way at this time.
https://archive.is/9gl8v
People on Twitter are having meltdown
Thier new cutsy thing they think is insulting
is to call Elon President Musk and VP Trump
Elon is telling Trump what to do..
Then they try the emotional blackmail
but the hurricane victims..
Any chance we could get five of those drones to drop stink bombs on congress just t show our opinion of them?
In my mind, number 1 should be the removal of Speaker Johnson immediately. All this shows the complete COWARDICE of him so readily caving on this resolution to the DemocRATS. He cannot be trusted to do what is right in the upcoming Trump/Vance Administration. Therefore, he MUST go….
GET HIM OUT …ASAP !!!!!
“Careful what you wish for”? Would the replacement be worse?
Thanks to Elon, we no longer have to pass the bill to see what’s in it!
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GfK9vqVXUAA239s?format=jpg&name=large
If Musk doesn’t want it,how about GAETZ!!!! YEE HAW…
Elon needs to stay right where he is … on the OUTSIDE of the swamp, as a PDJT insider. He is MUCH TOO VALUABLE to go play pattycake with the idiots in congress.
I do not think Elon would consider being speaker of a house soo full of cowards.
All it takes is one person with even normal common sense and some integrity.
As has been shown, even societies defects can work in congress.
It is the playground of near do wells, and narcissist’s who fall into pieces when an adult
steps into the room.
To add a bit of clarity as to how the money in spending BILLS is used:
The US CONGRESS only AUTHORIZES Spending and writes that authority into the spending BILLS (or LAWS) they pass, to include REPROGRAMMING authority language. The spending BILL Line items become spending packages either sent to the Office of the US President …. or …. are packaged as STATE GRANTS (including Medicare, Medicaid and other social welfare) for the State Governors to spend as authorized.
Every single dollar actually committed or spent is done so by the US FEDERAL EXECUTIVE Branch (the President) and the STATE Government Executives (the Governors) … State Governors then allot money to Municipalities as directed or needed from the grant packages they receive.
ALL the Pork listed above in CTH comments and written into this BILL are NOT spent by Congress … they send this money to their HOME States as Grants to be spent by their State Governors per the instructions written into the BILL (to include authority to reprogram).
Now let’s look at a prime publicly covered example: The CA Bullet Train Project of Governor Newsom. The State of CA has received over $5+ BILLION Federal Dollars to build that train but not an inch of track has been laid because Governor Newsom has LEGALLY used the reprogramming authority in the Federal Grant related to the rail system on any pet emergency he declares in the State of CA. Gov Newsom has done the same with the Billions in land-water management Federal Grants as well (CA does burn allot).
While thinking of examples …. think Obama Library in Chicago that has not yet been built or the stories from MI how the State and city of Detroit “misused” COVID grant money … it was ALL reprogrammed LEGALLY.
This is how it works for every stinking budget line created and authorized by Congress. It becomes a budget deficit and national debt DEATH by a Million Cuts. All congress has to do is keep feeding the budget lines they authorize.
The same goes for Federal Emergency Spending … Obama and JoeBama use the budgets of the Executive agencies to pay for their declared Emergencies of the Day.
This is how Congress and Executives (Federal and State) rack up Billions and Trillions in Federal debt (deficit and total) by spending on Emergency NON-AUTHORIZED Items. This why DOGE needs to expose this process to get some sort of leverage to return the Federal budgeting process procedure back on legal terms.
ALL other “efficiency efforts” are a drop in the bucket compared to this flood of waste and abuse.
A way to get your message to Musk…make an application to be employed by DOGE. Whether you get the employment or not your application will be read.
OK … I’ll do it. I am searching the web looking where to sign up.
I am not an X user and read the DOGE Website is still a work in progress.
Note to Elon Musk or any of President Trump’s Team if you are reading CTH… or even somebody here who can drop a word for me. I’ll sign up and even work for authorized expenses only if hired.
I even had a Top Secret Clearance that can be reactivated.
Obviously Speaker Johnson is a speaker for the Democrats. He needs to be remove ASAOP and replaced immediately with a MAGA speaker.
back of envelope reality check:
average 175,000 annual salary for Congress critters. 536 members
94 million a year.
roughly 47 percent of Americans actually pay taxes. give or take 165 Million people.
the “cost of Congress *base salary only” to each of these people a year?
57 cents a year for each person who pays taxes.
doesn’t seem like much does it? but is that really the true cost of Congress?
not even close…
next.
in FY 2025 the federal government has collected about 630 Billion dollars in tax revenue. Again, primarily to the tune over over 90 percent from individual income …that’s you and me, making up the vast majority of all taxed collected to finance the federal government.
this becomes 381 dollars a year for those who pay taxes….that’s how the straight math works out.
but how much has Congress spent in FY 2025?
1.25 TRILLION DOLLARS.
this works out as 7,575 dollar a year for each person who pays tax.
noting: the difference between revenue collected and spending is called debt.
what is the total debt of the federal government?
35 TRILLION DOLLARS.
if each person who pays taxes received a bill to pay off the entire federal debt in one year, how much would each person owe to settle the debt?
212,212 dollars each!
So you the tax payer are effectively spending a mere 57 each year to support 536 people in Congress, whom you do not have the legal right to remove from office by recall, and in return they have guaranteed you a return on your money by presenting you with a debt bill so large it would ruin you and you would never recover.
sounds like the kind of government I want to spend 57 cents on…
what a bargain!
God Bless America
also noting:
what are the biggest source that makes up the US “national” debt ? (I don’t like the term “national” which makes it appear that you and I made this happen…no, it’s a FEDERAL DEBT..Congress made that happen..they spent the money..they racked up the debt)
social security
medicare
national defense
health
interest payment on national debt
in FY 2024, it is estimated that the interest payment for the federal debt will be almost 1 trillion dollars. (892 Billion give or take).
The GDP for the US economy for FY 2024 is estimated to be 28 Trillion.
this ratio of DEBT TO GDP is considered to be a “way” to measure the financial health of a nation. But is it?
let return to who actually pays for the debt. 165 Million tax payers!
the interest ALONE TO SERVICE THE FEDERAL DEBT cannot be paid by US taxpayers. It’s just not realistic.
so who will pay it?
if you are thinking china, you would not be making a outrageous prediction.
Our Congress has the responsibility to make sure that this country is not under the control of China. I need to make this clear very clear.
President Trump has the best opportunity right now, to bring to bear the sharpest minds in the world to help figure out how to get out of this mess that Congress has created. That has created a national security risk that has no equal.
It must be priority one to put the United States in a path that does not allow China to own the US..and you and me.
God Bless America
Congress has so many “staffers” and little helpers and runners and a bar, pharmacy, and Restaurant to help them through their busy day. We have to pay for their ‘wait on me’ staff.
Don’t forget to fund their Congressional Dalliance pot of money Before they cut Social Security by giving away money hand over fist to any group of criminals on the horizons.
I like your comment but you understated the amount spent and obligated.
Congress does not spend money … they may have ORIGINALLY authorized, as in Budget Bills, only $1.75 Trillion but 2-3 x that amount has been SPENT and Obligated by the Executive Office of the President and Governors of US States who actually do the spending … who used the spending lines as a means to get more and more cash via reprogramming.
A bench mark for the amount actually spent and obligated would be the Presidential Budget Proposal, which has to be submitted by law in March of each year. The one that was publicly exposed from Sock Puppet JoeBama’s office in 2020 was listed at $4-5 Trillion.
please continue. WE NEED TO READ WHAT YOU ARE SAYING.
I used to think the repugnicans were just daggone repugnant. Then yesterday happened…
Term limits, please sir!
recall powers
I am really hoping this whole kerfuffle means that President Trump has learned the lessons of his first term and will not be making the same mistakes this time around!
In 2017, he had a Republican Senate and a Republican House, led by Mitch McConnell and Paul Ryan, respectively. They conspired to block almost every piece of legislation he attempted to get passed, aside from confirming judges, in the Senate, and passing tax cuts in the House. Then, almost as if it was all planned (/sarc) Ryan “retired” along with numerous other Republicans and the House passed to Nancy Pelosi and the Democrats…. and the rest was history, and not in a good way!
Mike Johnson is clearly Paul Ryan, Part II…he has been given every opportunity to show that he will support the MAGA agenda and he has happily allowed himself to be wined and dined on Trump Force One but now, when the rubber meets the road, he has failed to deliver, in a rather spectacular manner! I suspect that he has blown his one chance and DJT will not hesitate to call for his removal in January, if not before!
He will soon join Ryan on the FOX News board…..Was Johnson not just been given air time on FOX to cover his ars. The Murdocks control allot more than we think.
Theres a photo on X of Greaseball slimy Johnson walking down the stairs with Paul Ryan deep in discussion
Its on Matthew Boyle’s X thread somewhere
Put it on one piece of paper in front of every member of congress that we need to save a bunch of money. Ongoing. Memo from president trump, we are overbudget annually by 2 trillion dollars. 36 trillion in debt, and counting. This process has gone runaway.
ANY turncoat RINOs should become household names.
NO MERCY
This defeat is good news. Let’s hope the Republicans will hold the line.
Meanwhile, I’d say Mr. Johnson just screwed the pooch.
Republicans that are onboard need to start calling out the rino rats before they cross over to the democrat side. Make their constituents aware.
The tyranny from Soros, Barry, Clinton, Bush, NATO, WEF continues. The tyrants use coercion, blackmail & threat of exposure to get these political plants to behave like trained dogs. I hope Team Trump has the same leverage and is nothing short of ruthless with this miscreants degenerate deviants.
Matt Gaetz for Speaker!
I wish there were enough loyalist in Congress to vote him in.
Unpopular opinion incoming.
Two things can be true at once. This “Continuing Resolution” is a crap sandwich. But this also isn’t being handled well. Long term, this dynamic between Elon/the Speaker/Trump threatens to split the MAGA coalition– which is far more expansive than the Tea Party was years ago — if it’s going to create repeated crises over spending. First, Elon: the man is a billionaire who’s utterly financially conflicted, and ultimately no more trustworthy than Bill Gates or Jeff Bezos. IMO, it didn’t help Trump for Elon to get out in front and create the appearance that Trump is following Elon’s direction. And it definitely won’t help Trump long term if he’s the second mover after Elon. If nothing else, Elon should hold his fire to follow Trump’s lead, not other way around.
Second, it also doesn’t help for Trump/Vance/Elon to be reacting, when it was possible to be proactive. (For those who think I’m blaming Trump – I get it the man’s focused on a transition, but if he’s dropping a negotiating target now – it was *possible* for him to do it before, and we can’t afford not to be clear-eyed or to wear kid gloves here because it’s Trump … that doesn’t actually help our President or his coalition). To blow this thing up at the 11th hour with no viable plan other than shutting down government degrades, rather than enhances, Trump’s political capital. He may have judged that it’s worth it, and fair enough. But it’s still an expenditure of political capital, not an enhancement.
Dropping a last minute demand that results in a government shut down (which debt ceiling can be expected to do), is from a political perspective, exhausting and worrying, and Trump might be blamed (and no, I’m not saying it would be catastrophic, but it would be negative). This is likely the most unpopular part of what I’ll say: The Tea Party is not a majority in simply wanting government to be strangled. MAGA is united in wanting government cleaned of corruption, audited, and swept of its absurdities. But MAGA is bigger than the Tea Party was and the whole coalition does not want government completely eviscerated. If you disagree and think Trump has a mandate to literally burn it all down — consider the fact it has ALWAYS been part of Trump’s platform not to touch the “entitlement programs” (medicare, SS, medicaid) that Tea Party politicians have always wanted to dismantle. Trump knows that to get a majority behind him on tackling the Leviathan, he needs a little bit of nuance. A populist majority wants to take an axe to government, but not to swing it wildly and indiscriminately. This is reality.
So, shutting down government over this CR *may* be a political winner, IF it there’s a plan the republicans can pass when everyone returns in January. But that’s a big IF. If the shutdown drags on, it will not be a winner for Elon or Trump, and threatens to sour normal Americans who voted for Trump on the whole “DOGE” project. To be clear: I am not saying this be catastrophic for Trump. I’m saying it threatens to sour the public on “DOGE” and make them a bit more weary/wary about Trump.
Trump should have told Johnson long ago he wanted a clean CR that lifts the debt ceiling. That would have positioned him as reasonable against the democrat demands for larding it all up. Now, Trump’s positioned as a spoiler who *followed Elon’s lead* against a “bipartisan deal.” Yes they can work to get the narrative on their side, but this was an avoidable distraction. Let’s not be overly confident that winning this election inoculates Trump and MAGA against blame; regular people find government necessary and shutdowns exhausting.
And, really, it doesn’t help for Elon to be out in front of Trump. That is going to get old, and increasingly unpopular. It ultimately reduces (and does not enhance) Trump’s stature.
I have been pure, dedicated MAGA since 2016 so I hope this comment community here will abide some internal dissent/critique that comes from a view of wanting Trump and his agenda to be successful. He’s announced his priorities for first 100 days as border/immigration, energy (and implicitly, the wars). Eyes on the prize.
I 100% get why Trump wants to reject this CR and to clear the field by raising the debt ceiling; I hope the way this is going down results in quick resolution in January that won’t bog him down any further than that. I hope that this isn’t how “DOGE” operates over the first year, because IMO this frenetic exuberance from Elon is self-aggrandizing (for Elon) and not good for Trump, politically, with his own coalition, nor is it ideal for Trump’s governing priorities, which go beyond “DOGE.”
nonsense. Trump was re elected to tear down the GRIFT. The Dems don’t sit on the sideline and wring their collective hands. Why would you & I?
Respectfully disagree. Pres Donald is using Elon as a shield, saying what PDJT cannot say now. Elon’s wealth, like Pres T’s wealth creates blurred lines. What’s not blurred is Trump’s heart.
Trump was elected. Elon was not. Trump’s base is populist. It’s a mistake to think Elon has any kind of mandate or that his massive ego is well-served as cover for Trump. But glad for respectful disagreement!
What makes you doubt Elon’s sincerity? Just the fact that he is rich? Elon is assisting Trump/MAGA in ways that ONLY he can! Thank Heaven(!) he bought Twitter!
So, the idea is to elevate an unelected ego-maniacal billionaire to third in the line of succession, and as our governing oligarch as leader of the House, because we happen agree with him for now. OK. But let’s not pretend that’s not what this is — or that it’s any different than what the democrats have done.
My very strong preference is to allow Elon and Vivek to work as outsiders. I’m also of the opinion that the job of POTUS, in its current configuration, with the wholesale grift, greed, and criminality of the swamp dwellers to include most members of congress, is destined for failure if we don’t think outside the box. I see PDJT’s moves with most of his “outsider” cabinet nominees, along with team DOGE, as a way to have the most MAGA impact in the next 2 years. My feeling is that a majority of voters in this country are happy to forego business as usual in favor of actual, tangible positive results.
Somebody better play the game better than the Democrats…..cause they have been winning this game.
I don’t agree with Rand Paul. Elon needs to work from the outside, in. Let him work, Senator Paul. Stop with the distractions.
“Trump should have told Johnson long ago he wanted a clean CR that lifts the debt ceiling.”
PRESIDENT TRUMP.
You know he did not tell “Johnson” he wants a clean resolution how? What do you think reaching out to johnson and bringing him into the circle the last few weeks was about?
“And, really, it doesn’t help for Elon to be out in front of President Trump. That is going to get old, and increasingly unpopular. It ultimately reduces (and does not enhance) Trump’s stature.”
You seem to be buying into the latest talking point. I’m surprised you did not mention “Trump’s” ego. No. Elon is not ursurping President Trump. He is doing what the President has asked him to do. Thus Elon and Vivek had to read the 1547 page monstrosity in order to provide feedback to the President. I believe that is why Presidents have advisors.
Why would you think “this comment community” would have a problem with your purity? Are you commenting to engage in honest discussion or to have arguments?
Respectfully — I am not “buying into a latest talking point” any more than you or anyone else here. I watch politics closely. Elon was out in front of President Trump. If it was on Trump’s orders, I don’t think it’s a good strategy. Elon wasn’t elected. Populists don’t like oligarchs. The democrats like the oligarchs who are on their side. Won’t help if MAGA becomes the same.
Perhaps you should state your opinions as yours and not presume to speak for MAGA or populists.
Respectfully therein lies your incorrect logic. Truly conservative or even classic liberalism. It doesn’t matter who uttered the sage advice. Free nation, free thinking men and women. Who cares if it’s Joe the local barber. In fact a lot of times people on the street are far out in front of leadership. It’s really is leadership willing to listen
and put ego aside and others to voice their opinions. Musk was a DNC hack just a matter of years ago. Let those that get there heads on straight speak and be heard. Truth and Logic are freely available for anyone to grab from the ether and amplify it.
In response to the edit — I’m here for honest discussion. And have found that dissent often brings accusations that someone is a troll or worse, which is why I flagged that I have been a dedicated, honest reader here (part of MAGA) since 2016.
disagree.
“To blow this thing up at the 11th hour with no viable plan other than shutting down government degrades, rather than enhances, Trump’s political capital. He may have judged that it’s worth it, and fair enough. But it’s still an expenditure of political capital, not an enhancement.”
One of the aspects of President Trump that gets repeated is that he could have done it this way, or that way better. This is old guard speak. It presumes that IF he could just be more accomodating or signal his position earlier with Congress that things would just fail in line. This is not true and it was never true. Congress has at every turn, vexed his plans to reduce spending. every single time. And more to the point, the national debt is clearly a national security risk. full stop. President Trump is engaging Congress with a uncompromising mandate: stop the spending NOW.
And he’s not even in office yet. think about that. the power ..the capacity to literally stop Congress in its tracks.
do not underestimate our champion. He has proven and continues to disprove every single regular order etiquette. Now is the time to walk past the old guard, dump them and expose them. We cannot afford to have these scofflaws sink our nation nor can we afford to have them making laws that are obviously purposed to insulate themselves from accountability.
there is so much you are missing here, so I am going to stop and just advise that you look at the bigger picture.
WE ARE IN A WAR TO SAVE AMERICA FROM CONGRESS…
period.
everything else depends on winning this war.
Everything.
I don’t mind Elon getting out “in front of President Trump” ..not at all. He is a private citizen, and what he has to say on these matters is truthful and direct. We need more billionaires who stand up and yank down the curtains in Congress. Not less. big picture my friend. big picture.
that is all
these are solely my own opinions.
God Bless America
Enough of the old ways. I say, Thank you Elon…
I understand the sentiment. I don’t think elevating Elon is the way to go.
Here’s the issue: about a dozen House republicans will not vote for ANYTHING. That means any speaker has to get dem votes. We can quibble about Johnson’s skills … but the real problem is that he has to rely on democrats at all, and that is because of republicans.
If Trump manages to impose here the same kind of party discipline that Nancy routinely commanded — ie, if he pressures HIS OWN PARTY to unify and pass something — then I TOTALLY and happily stand corrected and this move is truly the start of a new era. I hope that’s the outcome — and I do believe Trump may have the skill/clout to do it. I don’t think much of Elon — sorry — but I also know I’m not alone.
Evidently the plan being floated is short term CR + lifting debt ceiling + farm aid + disaster relief. House REPUBLICANS will need to pass it, because democrats will be disciplined to reject it. That’s the deal.
If the Speaker (whomever it is) must again rely on dems, THAT right there is the problem. I believe it’s misguided to think Elon and his money can fix the problem.
Not sure I agree Newhere, but I appreciate your voice. Take heart, gird your loins
and speak as you see it. Some of what you see here is fact, but mostly it is opinion,
which makes your words no more or less valuable then anyone else’s.
Often we learn from iron sharpening iron and I sense your opinions are
reasonably held, have merit, and clearly you are open to new information and ideas.
Welcome to the HISTORIC fray! The battle back is underway.
Bless you. And thank you. I enjoy reading and commenting here, and do get a lot from all the other points of view.
me too. you have given me a few things to consider that I have not.
thanks
God Bless America
I think PT and Elon know of the “problem” Rinos. See their public announcements….Rinos will be primaried. Elon and his “big” social platform can make these primaries happen. Thats the bottom line. MAGA alone has not been able to put the pressure on these corrupt Republicans….call in the Calvary.
PT is no longer playing the game of “politics” he is coming for their hide.
Yes that would be game changer. If Elon’s with MAGA – great. But let’s not fool ourselves … prudence requires that we assume that Elon ultimately is for Elon. We don’t need a demagogue. He’s a wallet who happens to be carrying the MAGA banner, for now.
I am listening and reading. I am also looking
My thinking is that IF Musk/Ramasawmy et al are able to pattern their input to augment rather than supplant. e.g. in much the same way as Nunes will act as an “outside” advisor to Tulsi Gabbard at DNI ( assuming of course confirmed ) to separate wheat from chaff, as it were. Then, I believe it can potentially help, to at least mitigate budgetary deficit spending.
To one day even enable clean CR’s – if not actual balanced budgets ( again, perhaps, one day! )
I really like the idea that POTUS is building a team impervious to most any restraint, that might otherwise thwart the efforts of sitting members of House or Senate or even existing agency.
It’s not escaped my noticing what Javier Milei has done in Argentina since assuming office, vis a vis their once bloated government agencies and programs and their endemic waste. Once consistently running amok while wallowing in their insolvency, now garnering significantly favorable results.
To again borrow from the template of Argentina’s dramatic slash and burn “chainsaw budget cuts program” has all but eliminated their deficits. Of course, Milei has stopped payments to the IMF as of now, but that will change also at some point and is quite another story. He’s an economist, so surely he recognizes “disaster capitalism” when he encounters it.
The U.S.’ budget and fiscal irresponsibility, needs something akin to Argentina’s “chainsaw budget” cuts. I hope/trust that is the actual goal of DOGE as well. As advertised!
Nope, baloney! it’s the constant swishy& no courage -feckless double talk and desire to bend that brings nothing but trouble. Honestly! Shut down the gov if that what brings a better plan. I was very disappointed. To hear SOH whine that they only have a slim majority… blah blah the set up fir planned failure speechifying begins. I’m with RandPayl, musk for speaker And DOGE!
if Trump impounds at his will do USA need to borrow/increase debt?
Depends on how much he can impound.
Another thing I noticed when I read the section about bringing down the cost of prescription drugs is the primary areas that were obligated in bringing down costs where insurance prescription plans, and retail pharmacies. Drug manufacturers were obligated to do very little to help bring down the costs. Gee folks, I wonder why/sarc.
Roy… Another phony playing MAGA and the Uniparty against the middle.
A lot of us have been wondering why President Trump was being so supportive of the Cowardly Speaker over the last few months.
It now seems to me that our President was throwing Johnson a lifeline, hoping that the poor sap would grab hold. It was Johnson’s last chance to leave Team UniParty and join Team MAGA.
Johnson failed. He will soon be the ex-Speaker and, in 2 years, he will be primaried into his next career.
Yep.
How about running MTG as speaker immediately, and continue with a backup roster of similar poison pills for the enemy, until one of them sticks?
My current favorite dark horse would be Tim Burchett of TN. But there are quite a few!
Add this bill to the 25bps rate cut by the Fed yesterday all the while they are telling us inflation is too high for them and projected higher next year and we get the Empire Striking Back to tank the economy and Trump.
Our government and leaders absolutely hate us. Its disgusting.
Agree
I just keep enjoying turning calendar days over, and knowing they are running out of time and getting so panicked they can’t think straight.
Oh. Wait…
(They never could in the first place.)
Calendar is not flippin’ fast enough!
“In the end, they’re not coming after me. They’re coming after you-and I’m just in the way.”—Very Special President Donald Trump
Psalm 23–
“The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
Well, first off the FED is not part of our government.
They are a private banking firm that believes they own us, and we let them.
Time to separate ourselves from their monetary terrorism.
An interesting post elsewhere pointed to the need to identify and apply plenty of sunlight on just WHICH congress critter inserted Section 605.
Section 605 would protect the public official from any consequences from the public, granting them immunity and making them literally above the law.
https://boriquagato.substack.com/p/congressional-immunity
I haven’t managed to read the whole thread so there are probably others suggesting this…
But today is the day to call Mike Johnson & also one’s own reps (mine are horrid Dims so I hardly ever call them) and tell them they have our permission and blessings to go ahead and SHUT DOWN.
I may even suggest they go home and think about things at Christmas services. It’s the right time of year for self-reflection.
call the Dems anyway…call them… they deserve to hear from you..full mouthed. cut loose and don’t hold back..
this is the way
God Bless America
The Republicans are the stupid and weak Party, most of whom are Democrats. The Democrats are the strong and devious Party, none of whom are Republicans.
What is up with these weak RINO politicians from Louisiana: Sen. John Kennedy, Senator Bill Cassidy,Speaker Mike Johnson, and Majority Leader Steve Scalise? What a bunch of losers!
They’re country club Republicans. They’re neither conservative or serving the public interests. They serve the Oligarchs, nothing more or less. There’s dirty money laying on the table for them and they’ve built their livelihoods on taking the money and betraying the trust of their nation and those they’re supposed to serve.
If the government is going to run out of money, isn’t it better for it to happen NOW under Biden and the dems than in March under PDJT?
No more sweeping our problems under the rug!
renewal of the GEC was the 1 of the most egregious to be tucked into this monstrosity (Cornyn’s pet project), along w new DC stadium, protecting the J6 committee, paying for the MD bridge. Johnson is simply Paul Ryan v2.0… pretender, gutless, 0 negotiation skill, 0 leadership ability, a man-boy in an expensive suit.
Crenshaw is the foul-mouthed idiot behind the congressional pay raise, though he too is a millionaire thx to stock trades. If any of these politicians were in the biz world and up for a promotion / pay raise based on performance, they would receive an F and no promotion. As if their current salary of 174,000 isn’t enough – national median income = 66K
The Democrat porky perks are endless and Johnson agreed to all. Shut down the bloated govt or pass a 100% clean CR and commit to pass a balanced budget 2025 .
If Johnson had one ounce of character he’d offer to step down upon the election of a new speaker. Not resign tho, but I’m afraid he’d love to pull a McCarthy and do that too.
Hoping to reform the R party is proving to be unrealistic. It is hypocritical and deceptive from the head office on down. It is far too entrenched to be taken seriously as “conservative,” whatever that means.
Any Republican who gets a 100% “yes” vote for Speaker will always be a weak RINO like Johnson. No joke!
Yep….that was a sign to me as well/ Johnson was never going to be on our side.