Listen To Story Above
JD Vance unleashed a scathing critique of Democrats following their near-unanimous opposition to the American Relief Act of 2024, a government funding bill that received President Trump’s endorsement on Thursday.
The vote came in the wake of widespread rejection of a previous 1,547-page continuing resolution by MAGA supporters, who criticized House Speaker Mike Johnson for negotiating what they viewed as an America Last funding approach.
After President Trump threw his support behind the new funding bill, describing it as “VITAL to the America First Agenda” and urging congressional support, 38 Republicans still voted against it.
🚨🇺🇸 JD VANCE: DEMOCRATS ASKED FOR A SHUTDOWN—NOW THEY’LL GET IT
"The Democrats voted to shut down the government, rejecting a clean CR to deny the president negotiating leverage in his new term.
They’d rather shut it down to fight for global censorship bullshit.
They’ve asked… https://t.co/YzF1hWXrLc pic.twitter.com/Iz9UbJv1Cf
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) December 20, 2024
Several Republican opponents offered substantive reasons for their dissent, primarily focusing on concerns about maintaining Biden-era spending levels and the bill’s two-year debt ceiling suspension. Rep. Cory Mills (R-FL) shared his perspective with The Gateway Pundit, stating, “As of today, we’re spending a $2.23 trillion rate. That is not sustainable, and we will end up collapsing the entire country as a result of this spending. We need to get President Trump’s agenda to succeed, and we need to do that responsibly.”
President Trump attempted to rally Republican support by highlighting future benefits. He took to Truth Social Thursday evening, promising that “The United States will cut Hundreds of Billions of Dollars in spending next year through Reconciliation!”
Democrats, with only two exceptions, opposed the bill, claiming “President Musk” forced the abandonment of the original CR and arguing that “The bill that is before us today is just part of an effort to shut down the government.” Their opposition came despite the bill’s provisions for government operations, disaster relief, military funding, and agricultural support.
Speculation suggests their resistance may have been influenced by the removal of a 40% salary increase included in the earlier version.
Panic! Government will shut down if Congress doesn't pass a funding bill!
That's how most media cover it.
But during previous shut downs, what terrible things happened? None!
Life went on. Government demonstrated how needless most of it is.
I made this video about that: pic.twitter.com/NIPYeO2r6X
— John Stossel (@JohnStossel) December 20, 2024
The previously rejected CR contained several controversial elements, including a congressional pay raise to $243,000 annually, $900 million for a Washington D.C. football stadium, funding for 12 new biolabs, extensive pandemic response policies, and renewal of the controversial Global Engagement Center.
With the funding deadline approaching Friday at 11:59 pm, the House plans to reconvene to address government continuity.
JD Vance specifically criticized the Democrats’ stance on the Global Engagement Center, asserting they “would rather shut down the government and fight for global censorship bullsh*t.” He added that the Democrats were reluctant to provide the President with negotiating leverage during his potential first year in office.
