The intense battle between House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and the Republican members of the Freedom and Main Line Caucuses continues to rage on. For weeks now, the two parties have been fighting over a spending agreement proposed by Congressman Donalds (R-FL).
The deal would keep the government operating through October 31st, while cutting spending for all federal agencies except the Pentagon and Department of Veterans Affairs by 8% from current levels.
This agreement was mainly negotiated by Republicans in both the Freedom Caucus and Main Line Caucus. Since its introduction however, several conservative representatives have voiced their opposition to it.
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) in particular has been very vocal about his disapproval of this deal – accusing Speaker McCarthy of going back on promises he made during his bid for speakership earlier this year.
The @ByronDonalds CR is bad for America pic.twitter.com/S6GtbW64U5
— Rep. Matt Gaetz (@RepMattGaetz) September 18, 2023
It’s also worth noting that many opponents believe that these cuts do not go far enough – arguing instead for a return to pre-COVID levels of spending.
Moreover, they are calling out Speaker McCarthy for failing to defund federal agencies such as Jack Smith’s Special Counsel investigation into President Trump – which they view as weaponized against conservatives.
During a speech on the House floor addressing this issue, Rep Matt Gaetz outlined why he opposes this continuing resolution authored by his colleague Byron Donalds (R-FL).
He argued that it perpetuates wastefulness and corruption within the government as well as election interference– potentially leading us into World War III.
He also believes that it grants too much power to Jack Smith’s investigation – gagging America’s former president in addition to other potential republican candidates for office – while not doing enough to review single subject spending bills and forcing agencies to defend their budget requests properly.
Finally, he warned of future economic instability due to two trillion dollar deficits atop thirty three trillion dollars debt each year– which is unsustainable unless there is significant reform enacted soon.
Rep Matt Gaetz’s powerful words may be enough to convince some fellow Republicans to join him in voting down this proposed legislation when it comes up for vote.
