Democrats are preparing to push through a massive last-minute omnibus package to avert a government shutdown before the end of the year. The 4,155-page $1.7 trillion funding bill includes some important measures, like a ban of TikTok on all government devices and reforms to the Electoral Count Act, but is also stuffed with earmarks for special interests and liberal pet projects. In other words, the bill could be a lot worse, but it could also be a lot slimmer.
Considering the economic consequences of this government’s reckless spending over the past two years, one would be forgiven for thinking Republicans might want to rein in spending a bit and assure the voters who just handed them a House majority that they’re serious about getting Washington’s finances under control. But, alas, when it comes to spending, Republicans are no different than Democrats.
A group of Senate Republicans, including Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), helped negotiate the omnibus and reportedly plan to help Democrats pass it. Unsurprisingly, the same Republicans who support the bill are also the ones who stand to benefit the most from it. Sen. Richard Shelby (R-AL), for example, stands to bring in $650 million in earmarks, Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-OK) will bring in $511 million, and Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) $490 million. In fact, eight of the 10 biggest earmark beneficiaries are Republicans.
House Republicans are rightly incensed that their Senate colleagues are throwing away what little leverage they have. In less than a month, Republicans will take control of the House and could use their majority to slash unnecessary spending and hold Democrats accountable. There is no reason to rush this through. All Senate Republicans need to do is wait it out and pass a temporary resolution extending current federal spending levels into 2023.
That they refuse to do so is yet another confirmation that even though party control of Washington changes frequently, very little else does.
