Janice R. Andrews
Tech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, co-leader of President-elect Trump’s “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE), harshly criticized the proposed stopgap spending measure, urging lawmakers to vote against it. He argued the bill is filled with “excessive spending, special interest giveaways, and pork barrel politics” and would harm the people it claims to help. Ramaswamy compared the deal to “showering cocaine on an addict,” saying it represents cruelty disguised as compassion.
The stopgap measure, which would extend government funding until March 14, is expected to cost an additional $380 billion.
Excessive Spending Draws Criticism
Ramaswamy slammed the bill for including numerous add-ons, such as:
- $130 billion to renew the Farm Bill.
- $100 billion for disaster relief.
- $8 billion to replace the Francis Scott Key Bridge.
- A provision to relocate the Washington Commanders stadium to D.C.
He pointed out that “for every dollar of continued discretionary spending, the proposal adds at least 65 cents in new spending.” Ramaswamy criticized the bill for adding significant costs, pushing the government further into debt.
Elon Musk, co-leader of DOGE, also expressed his disapproval, calling the bill a bloated “piece of pork” and insisting it should be rejected.
Republican Disagreement
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) admitted that while he dislikes the bill, he had no choice but to secure Democratic support due to the GOP’s slim majority. He shared a late-night text exchange with Ramaswamy and Musk, where they acknowledged the political challenges but reiterated their concerns about the excessive spending.
Several GOP House members, including Reps. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) and Eric Burlison (R-Mo.), also opposed the deal, criticizing it for going against DOGE’s mission to reduce government spending. Norman described the bill as “the opposite” of DOGE’s goals, while Burlison expressed disappointment that Congress would approve another massive increase to the deficit.
Questionable Timing
Ramaswamy raised concerns about the timing of the bill, accusing Congress of deliberately waiting until the last minute to release it to avoid public debate. He argued that the December 20 shutdown deadline was well-known, and the rushed nature of the bill only served to stifle discussion.
“The deadline has been known since September, but instead of debating it seriously, we’re faced with a manufactured crisis,” Ramaswamy said.
DOGE’s Vision for Efficiency
The Department of Government Efficiency, led by Ramaswamy and Musk, aims to make government operations more streamlined and reduce unnecessary spending. Their visit to Capitol Hill earlier this month sparked interest among lawmakers, though skepticism remains about the likelihood of achieving real change.
Ramaswamy emphasized that true government efficiency requires more than just words—it needs decisive action. “Everyone agrees we need a smaller and more efficient government, but this bill is a test of our resolve. It should fail,” he said.
The Impact of the Spending Deal
Ramaswamy warned of several long-term consequences of the bill’s provisions:
- Increased Debt: He pointed out that rising interest payments could soon become the largest item in the federal budget.
- Impact on Farmers: The bill could lead to more farmland being sold to foreign buyers due to increased taxes.
- Future Generations: He expressed concern that future generations will be burdened with crippling national debt.
“Debt-driven spending may feel good in the short term, but it’s not compassion; it’s cruelty,” Ramaswamy concluded.
Growing Opposition
The stopgap measure has sparked significant opposition from both within the Republican Party and beyond. Critics argue that its broad scope undermines the GOP’s commitment to fiscal discipline and goes against the goals of DOGE.
With the shutdown deadline fast approaching, the debate over the bill reflects broader divisions in Congress about government spending priorities. The outcome of this debate will likely shape the future direction of fiscal policy and the effectiveness of reform efforts by groups like DOGE.
