(The Center Square) – A Florida congressman is the latest to outline waste of taxpayer money, regulatory expansion and mandates in a Continuing Resolution proposed by U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana.
The resolution has since been scrapped and a new, scaled back plan has been put in place.
But Johnson came under fire by conservative Republicans for working with Democrats to push the initial version through, and some are calling for his resignation.
Rather than write a 10 to 15-page bill targeting specific funding to prevent a government shutdown, a 1,500-page Continuing Resolution was proposed that President-elect Donald Trump said was an affront to taxpayers.
“There is no way I’m voting for this Christmas Parade of Horribles that is the latest Continuing Resolution. It’s one of the worst bills I’ve ever seen, packed with handouts for the swamp,” US Rep. Greg Steube, R-Florida, said.
“Here are just a few of the egregious giveaways buried in this monstrosity,” he said in a series of social media posts.
One example is using taxpayer money to fully fund the rebuilding of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. “A man-made accident caused the collapse and taxpayers are now on the hook for billions of dollars? The company at fault – and their insurance – should be paying for this. Not the American taxpayer,” Steube said.
Another is having taxpayers foot the bill for a new NFL football stadium in the District of Columbia “FREE of charge.”
“We’re handing over federal land to one of the most poorly run cities in America, just so they can subsidize a multi-billion-dollar entertainment business. The NFL doesn’t need public handouts, especially from a city that can’t even manage basic services. This is nothing more than a Christmas gift to the swamp, funded by the taxpayer,” he said.
Also included in the CR are additional federal regulations for telecommunications, healthcare, and financial services, which will lead to “more red tape. Higher compliance costs. An expanded administrative state that makes life harder for everyday Americans.”
Perhaps most alarming, he said, is the CR would have expanded provisions in the Pandemic and All-Hazards Act, including more “unchecked ‘emergency’ powers, vaccine and mask mandates and vaccine passports,” as well as to fund gain-of-function research.
“Have we learned NOTHING from the horrific abuses the government imposed during COVID? These same overreaching policies are being set up to control us again,” he said.
The initial CR would have prioritized funding for Haiti through the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act. “Of all the issues facing America, the CR prioritizes… Haiti? Haiti is a nation plagued by political instability and rampant corruption. It’s hardly a viable democracy and can’t be trusted with American taxpayer dollars. Where’s the focus on our border, economy, citizens, and security?” he said.
Haitian illegal border crossers are among millions who haven’t been deported because of federal polices implemented by the Biden administration, including through “temporary protective status,” the CHNV parole program, those on a docket for federal removal, among others, The Center Square has reported.
Steube also took aim at Johnson saying, “Speaker Mike Johnson promised no more CRs. Now here we are. Democrats win, Americans lose. All in a Republican-controlled House! It’s no wonder why Americans don’t trust Congress… We were given a mandate for fiscal responsibility. This CR spits in the face of that mandate. Enough is enough.”