Congress passed an omnibus budget bill on Thursday that will keep the government open for the rest of the year.
The bill passed both the House and Senate and conservatives are less than thrilled by the wasteful spending and lack of attention to border security. After threatening to veto the bill, President Trump signed it into law.
The bill contains over 2200 pages and was only made available for members to read on Wednesday night. The legislation was supported by leaders in both parties.
Democrats claimed victory after their priorities were protected in the bill. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi claimed that the bill was a defeat for President Donald Trump’s proposal to build a wall on the Mexican border. “There’s some resources for fencing and the rest there. But some of that money is for technology and other ways to protect our borders… But if you want to think you’re getting a wall, you just think it and sign the bill.” said Pelosi.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer also chimed in. “We’ve accomplished many, many, many of our goals,” he said according to Roll Call. “When it’s unveiled, you will see.”
Democrats were able to secure many of their priorities. The omnibus bill does not fund a border wall. It also includes funding for Planned Parenthood and sanctuary cities. The bill also does not support increased immigration enforcement that the Trump administration was seeking. Finally, proposed cuts to the EPA were defeated.
The bill also contains some gun control measures. Provisions such as the so-called “Fix NCIS” background checks provision and allows the CDC to research gun violence. The “Fix NCIS” provision, which is written by Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), enjoys support from the NRA. However, Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) has concerns about the lack of due process involved with the legislation. According to Lee, 168,000 veterans have lost their right to bear arms after being wrongly identified as “mentally defective” by the VA. Lee is concerned that “Fix NCIS” would make it easier for bureaucrats to wrongly deny Americans the right to bear arms by identifying them as mentally ill.
Conservatives have rallied in opposition to the omnibus. The House Freedom Caucus denounced the legislation. “I don’t think the American people said, ‘Oh, let’s put Republicans in control of Congress to do a bill like this,'” Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) said on “Fox & Friends.” “This may be the worst bill I have seen in my time in Congress, the worst bill our leadership has ever allowed to come to the floor,” said Jordan.
Senator Rand Paul (R-Kentucky) sent out this tweet about the bill.
It’s a good thing we have Republican control of Congress or the Democrats might bust the budget caps, fund planned parenthood and Obamacare, and sneak gun control without due process into an Omni…wait, what?
— Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) March 21, 2018
Despite opposition from conservatives, the bill enjoys the support of Republican leadership. House Speaker Paul Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell worked to lobby the support of President Trump. Ryan is also touting the border security provisions and the increase in defense spending.
As Republicans go into a challenging midterm election cycle, there is growing disgust with how Washington works. Indeed President Trump was elected on the promise of “draining the swamp.” The omnibus bill, which funds numerous liberal priorities, busts spending caps, and explodes the deficit and debt, will not help Republicans rally conservative votes.
Are conservatives likely to see the omnibus as yet another betrayal by an out of touch Republican leadership? Only time will tell.
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AAN Staff
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