Tuberville will oppose government funding bill

December 18, 2024 – WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Tuesday, congressional negotiators between the House and Senate released the text of a 1,500-page proposed compromise continuing resolution (C.R.) that would keep the U.S. government funded through March. Conservatives cried foul soon after release of the proposal claiming that it contains too much reckless federal spending and only adds to the growing problem of the federal deficit. On Wednesday, U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Alabama) told members of the Alabama press that he will not be supporting the funding package.

"Christmas came early for the Democrats this year. The C.R. text just released by the House last night looks more like an omnibus than a continuing resolution," Sen. Tuberville said. "Big spenders in Congress are hoping that you, the American taxpayers, aren't paying attention to this bill's enormous price tag."

The Congress is supposed to pass a budget through the normal budgeting process; but Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-New York) would not bring any of the 13 spending bills to the floor of the Senate for a vote. The Republican controlled House of Representatives did likewise to avoid giving Democrats an election year issue ahead of the November 5 election. The two sides and the Biden – Harris administration agreed instead to pass a C.R. keep the government funded to December so that their members could focus on their re-elections rather than their budgetary constitutional responsibility. Now that September C.R. is running out and Congress has to either pass a new C.R. or a budget or parts of the government will shut down.

"We have known about this government funding deadline for three months; but instead of working toward a fiscally conservative package they decided to push it up against Christmas to put pressure on RINO members of Congress to rubber stamp a wasteful spending bill before running out of town for the holidays," Sen. Tuberville said. "You know I hate to say I told you so, but this was my exact fear when we kicked the can down the road in last September."

Conservatives in Congress are concerned that instead of reducing spending this C.R. is more like an omnibus where members stuff the bill with their own budget priorities to protect favored programs including earmarks benefitting their districts. Of course since the federal government spends far more than it takes in – any increased spending for anything has to be paid for by adding to the growing federal debt.

"We can't keep spending more than we have," said Tuberville. "We can't do it. The U.S. government pays out $3 billion per day in interest payment on our present debt - three billion. That is unsustainable. We cannot continue to write a blank check on the backs of the American taxpayers. That's why I will not be supporting this funding package. I look forward to working with DOGE, President Trump's new group in the next Congress to find ways that we can rein in reckless government spending and bring down our national debt."

Late on Wednesday afternoon, President-elect Donald J. Trump (R) came out against the controversial budget package that conservatives like Senator Tuberville and Sen. Rand Paul (R- Kentucky) were already fighting against.

"Republicans want to support our farmers, pay for disaster relief, and set our country up for success in 2025," Trump said in a post on Truth Social. "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."

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) is reportedly considering other option since many House Republicans have announced that they will not vote for the bipartisan spending bill. Supporters of the bill warn that it is either this bill or a Christmas government shut down on Saturday.

"If Democrats threaten to shut down the government unless we give them everything they want, then CALL THEIR BLUFF," Trump said.

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