Crumbled Omnibus Bill Is A Mess Of Speaker Johnson’s MakingBig GovernmentThe Crumbled Omnibus Carcass Is A Mess Of Speaker Johnson’s Own Making


Speaker of the House Mike Johnson speaks to the press about the proposed stopgap spending measure to ‘keep the government open.’

The stopgap measure included a pay hike for Congress and a provision allowing members to opt out of Obamacare.

Speaker Mike Johnson is facing heavy criticism from conservatives angered by his attempt to push a stopgap spending bill through Congress. The measure, criticized as a bloated omnibus package, collapsed Wednesday under scrutiny from conservatives and President-elect Donald Trump, who urged Republicans to “GET SMART and TOUGH” with Democrats.

‘Rich People’

Johnson’s resolution, intended to be a clean “continuing resolution,” ballooned into a 1,500-plus-page omnibus filled with pork, censorship, and sweetheart deals for Congress. Among the provisions were a possible pay hike for congressional members and a clause allowing lawmakers to opt out of Obamacare in favor of better taxpayer-funded insurance.

Currently, rank-and-file lawmakers earn $174,000 annually, with higher salaries for leadership. A proposed 3.8% raise would increase their pay to $180,600 in 2025. Critics point out that this comes with benefits unavailable to most Americans, including enrollment in the Federal Employee Health Benefits program instead of Obamacare.

Rep. Steny H. Hoyer, D-Md., defended congressional pay earlier this year, saying, “This is a serious issue as to whether or not the only people who can serve here are rich people.”

‘A Certain Sandwich’

The threat of a government shutdown loomed over the spending debate, though much of the government continues operating during funding impasses. The omnibus faced sharp criticism from key figures, including Trump and Elon Musk, his incoming co-director of the Department of Government Efficiency.

“This bill should not pass,” Musk said, calling it a “bigger piece of pork.”

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., bluntly compared the bill to a “feces sandwich,” highlighting concerns over $110 billion in disaster relief. Fellow Florida Rep. Kat Cammack described the measure as “a band-aid laced with fentanyl.”

‘Start Acting Like It’

Johnson’s political future hangs in the balance, with his leadership under pressure amid calls for a clean spending bill and an increased debt ceiling. Trump and incoming Vice President J.D. Vance demanded a temporary funding bill “WITHOUT DEMOCRAT GIVEAWAYS” and urged Republicans to “CALL THEIR BLUFF” on shutdown threats.

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

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise said Wednesday night that Republicans would work “through the night, through the morning” to craft a viable deal. Critics argue that the party must stick to conservative principles and honor the mandate voters handed them.

“We won,” Rep. Keith Self, R-Texas, wrote. “@HouseGOP should start acting like it.”

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