Thomas Massie, Musk Slam Johnson’s ‘Pork-Packed’ Spending Bill [WATCH]

Republican lawmakers, joined by Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, have raised concerns over controversial items included in a spending bill unveiled by House Speaker Mike Johnson.

The bill, designed to avert a partial government shutdown ahead of the Friday deadline, proposes to fund the government through mid-March.

The bill, which Johnson stated is the result of bipartisan negotiations, has sparked criticism for its inclusion of unrelated provisions and extensive length.

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Among the items causing contention is $100 billion in disaster aid for Hurricanes Milton and Helene, which some GOP lawmakers argue should have been addressed in a standalone vote.

Senator Mike Lee, R-Utah, took to social media to voice his frustration. “What do RFK Stadium, $50 billion for Big Pharma, and two new Smithsonian museums do for Americans devastated by the hurricanes?” Lee posted on X (formerly Twitter) Tuesday night.

What do RFK Stadium, $50 billion for Big Pharma, and two new Smithsonian museums do for Americans devastated by the hurricanes? https://t.co/IhWxWIAh48

— Mike Lee (@SenMikeLee) December 17, 2024

One of the controversial provisions involves transferring ownership of RFK Stadium from the federal government to Washington, D.C.

This move was celebrated by Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-D.C., a non-voting House member, who praised the inclusion of the measure in the spending bill.

“I am pleased this important bill was included in the CR, which must pass this week for the federal government to avoid a shutdown,” Norton said. “The RFK Stadium bill is a win-win for the federal and D.C. governments.”

Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., also criticized the bill’s length and content. “The first 9 pages of this Continuing Resolution are all we need to keep the government open; the other 1,500+ pages are a handbook on how the government plans to waste your tax dollars for a bit,” Mace posted on X.

The first 9 pages of this Continuing Resolution are all we need to keep the government open; the other 1,500+ pages are a handbook on how the government plans to waste your tax dollars for a bit.

— Rep. Nancy Mace (@RepNancyMace) December 18, 2024

Elon Musk, who co-leads the newly established Department of Government Efficiency under President-elect Trump, joined the chorus of criticism. Musk shared a photo of the printed spending bill, captioning it: “Ever seen a bigger piece of pork?” In another post, Musk declared, “This bill should not pass.”

Ever seen a bigger piece of pork? pic.twitter.com/ZesFCNSNKp

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 18, 2024

This bill should not pass https://t.co/eccQ6COZJ4

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 18, 2024

The spending bill includes funding for various projects beyond disaster aid, including $50 billion for pharmaceutical research and the establishment of two new Smithsonian museums.

Critics argue that these additions dilute the focus on immediate needs, such as disaster relief, and exemplify the misuse of taxpayer dollars.

I had hoped to see @SpeakerJohnson grow a spine, but this bill full of pork shows he is a weak, weak man.

The debt will continue to grow. Ultimately the dollar will fail. Democrats are clueless and Big Gov Republicans are complicit.

A sad day for America.

— Rand Paul (@RandPaul) December 18, 2024

The debate over the bill comes as the government faces a looming shutdown if an agreement is not reached by Friday.

Thomas Massie called out the timing of it, reveling the playbook…

People call me “NostraThomas” for accurately predicting @SpeakerJohnson would use the Christmas recess to force a massive spending bill through Congress.

After claiming he would not, Johnson is embracing a D.C. tradition that’s nearly as old as decorating Christmas trees. pic.twitter.com/TRd1ZiCXtc

— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) December 18, 2024

While the bill’s supporters argue that the provisions were part of necessary bipartisan negotiations, Republican lawmakers and Musk continue to push for a more streamlined approach that eliminates what they see as wasteful spending.

As the deadline approaches, the spending bill remains a flashpoint for broader discussions about government efficiency, fiscal responsibility, and the inclusion of unrelated provisions in essential legislation.

Whether the bill will pass as written or face revisions in the final hours remains to be seen.

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