Some Republicans fume after Trump kills spending deal
Some Republican lawmakers were left fuming on Wednesday after President Trump abruptly torpedoed House Speaker Mike Johnson's (R-La.) deal with Democrats to keep the government funded until March.
Why it matters: The package was reviled by some conservatives, but many lawmakers in both parties saw it as a golden opportunity to secure long sought-after legislative priorities.
"Now what we're going to have is ... a lot of disgruntled people who thought they were getting something done out their way out the door," said one House Republican.
Trump tanked Johnson's bill on Wednesday by saying in a joint statement with his Vice President-elect JD Vance that it should include a debt ceiling increase.
What they're saying: Another House Republican, speaking on the condition of anonymity to speak critically of the president-elect, told Axios that "Trump shot his foot" by killing the bill.
"All the farmers' [feet] too," the lawmaker added, referring to the $10 billion in farm aid and the farm bill extension in the bill.
Other lawmakers simply want to get out of town for the holidays: "Certainly it would be good to go and get this over with ... I want to get it over with," said Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-Ala.).
The other side: Rep. Andy Barr (R-Ky.), whose restrictions on outbound investment to China were included in the bill, argued that Republicans largely support Trump's decision.
"My work ... was in there. That's going to fall out," Barr acknowledged. But he said his phone was "ringing off the hook" with constituents arguing against the bill.
Aderholt also said diplomatically: "If there's some stuff in the bill that we need to know about that's so bad, then I'd rather know about it before a vote."
Zoom in: The first GOP lawmaker who spoke anonymously told Axios there is also a feeling Trump gave Johnson room to negotiate and then "pulled the rug out from under him" when confidantes like Musk turned against the bill.
That is "likely going to be a reoccurring theme in 2025," the lawmaker said, adding, "Anybody could have predicted this. This is like standard operating procedure."
https://www.axios.com/2024/12/19/trump-republicans-angry-mike-johnson-spending