>> Continued From the Previous Page <<
Musk didn’t mince words on social media platform X, declaring, “Any member of the House or Senate who votes for this outrageous spending bill deserves to be voted out in 2 years!”
The Tesla and SpaceX CEO’s vocal opposition proved influential, as the bill was effectively torpedoed by Thursday.
The fallout sparked sharp criticism from prominent Democrats. Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett questioned Musk’s influence, posting on X, “Which branch of Government does Elon belong to? Asking for a friend….”
Washington State Rep. Pramila Jayapal accused House Republicans of kowtowing to Musk, stating, “Mike Johnson negotiated a deal with Leader [Hakeem] Jeffries, Chuck Schumer, and Joe Biden — and now is reneging because the shadow president, Elon Musk, told him to. This is on them. The Republicans must figure this out.”
Wisconsin Rep. Mark Pocan took a more humorous jab, sharing a meme depicting Musk being sworn in as president by Trump. He noted the irony, given that Musk, who immigrated to the U.S. from South Africa, is constitutionally ineligible to hold the presidency.
Rep. Maxwell Frost of Florida expressed concern over Musk’s perceived sway, stating, “If this is the type of power he has, then he is going to be the unelected co-president of this country, and we’ve got to be super blunt about it,” according to Axios.
Despite the uproar, Musk celebrated what he viewed as a win for fiscal responsibility. On Thursday, he posted before-and-after pictures of the revamped legislation, now a lean 116 pages compared to its original 1,500.
The revised bill, dubbed the “clean CR,” includes a three-month extension to fund the government through March, averting an immediate shutdown. It also features a two-year suspension of the debt limit, ensuring Democrats cannot use it as leverage for additional spending.
Just Released: Trump White House Collector’s Bobblehead!
Additionally, the new legislation allocates $110 billion in disaster relief for hurricane-affected states like North Carolina and includes a $30 billion farm bill extension. However, it eliminates some of the more contentious add-ons, including congressional pay raises and the proposed NFL stadium funding.
The new CR has garnered support from Trump, who urged swift bipartisan action. “All Republicans, and even the Democrats, should do what is best for our Country, and vote ‘YES’ for this Bill, TONIGHT!” he posted on Truth Social.
For Musk, the streamlined bill represents a significant victory. With his growing influence in Washington, Musk’s involvement in shaping policy—whether welcomed or resented—is undeniable.
As the House prepares to vote on the revised bill, one thing is clear: the days of unchecked, bloated spending may be numbered. Whether this marks the beginning of a new era in fiscal governance remains to be seen, but for now, Musk and his supporters are celebrating a hard-fought victory.
