GOP Faces Opposition as House Bill Sparks Political Storm Over Elon Musk

WASHINGTON, D.C. — House Republicans are grappling with significant opposition to their proposed government funding bill, which has ignited a heated political dispute involving critics targeting billionaire Elon Musk and the government’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initiatives. The contentious debate may influence the path to avert a government shutdown as both parties prepare for a critical vote.

Representatives, including Nancy Mace, R-S.C., have depicted the Democrats’ fierce resistance to the funding plan as driven by a hatred of Musk, who has become a polarizing figure due to his ties to the federal government and military contracting. Mace remarked to Fox News Digital, “They hate Elon Musk and Donald Trump more than they love their country. They’re just losing their f—— minds.”

Mace, however, expressed hope that some Democrats could still support the legislation during the impending vote. “They voted for every CR under the sun when [former President Joe Biden] was president. That’s what this is — it’s just political games,” she added.

First-term Rep. Jeff Crank, R-Colo., raised concerns about Democrats’ changing political fortunes, suggesting their frustrations stem from losses since the previous November. “They’ve had nothing but political losses from November forward,” Crank stated, advocating that Democrats should prioritize keeping the government operational over partisan conflicts.

On the contrary, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has led the opposition against what many Democrats deem an inadequate funding plan. Democratic lawmakers have criticized Musk’s involvement in DOGE as emblematic of a broader issue involving unelected billionaires influencing government spending.

Rep. Jason Crow, D-Colo., pointed out, “Musk is doing damage to our government,” yet insisted his stance on the funding bill is not influenced by Musk. “Musk doesn’t live rent-free in my head. I’m focusing on my constituents,” Crow remarked.

Contrastingly, Rep. Jared Moskowitz, D-Fla., diverted attention away from Musk, condemning House Republicans for advancing a stopgap funding bill without addressing comprehensive fiscal year 2025 appropriations. Moskowitz argued that Republicans have reneged on promises to pursue individual spending bills and are instead pushing a continuing resolution (CR) that lacks adequate investments in essential programs.

House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar, D-Calif., linked the latest funding proposals to cuts in critical services like veterans’ health care and research funding, contending that House Republicans are prioritizing tax breaks for Musk and Trump allies over public welfare. He asserted, “That’s unacceptable to House Democrats.”

The proposed CR seeks to maintain funding at FY 2024 levels through the onset of FY 2026, with additional defense funding but a cut of approximately $13 billion in nondefense spending. Some House GOP aides have claimed that the bill contains provisions for veterans’ health care, which contradicts the Democrats’ messaging.

Despite typically substantial opposition from Democrats in government funding matters, uncertainty surrounds how this latest proposal will be received. As of Monday night, some Republicans remained undecided about their votes, prompting efforts to rally support among hesitant party members.

“Democrats are losing their minds over Musk,” Mace claimed, while the opposition within her party presents a more fractured perspective altogether.

The CR is set to face scrutiny from both parties, which could shape the narrative heading into the vote. As Congress approaches a potential showdown over funding amid growing tensions regarding Musk’s role, the outcome of this vote may have significant implications for both legislative strategy and party reputations.