“The GOP Is Destroying America”: House Republicans Pull Spending Bill for Second Time in One Week

Michelle MeyerNov 14, 2023

Minute Read

House Republicans faced a setback as they withdrew their spending bill yet again, scrapping proposed substantial cuts to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

A Lack of Sufficient Republican Support

House Republicans, led by newly elected Speaker Mike Johnson, pulled the bill just moments before a scheduled vote, acknowledging a lack of sufficient Republican support. Political analyst Craig Agranoff highlighted the growing chasm between moderate Republicans and hardline conservatives, making it challenging for the GOP to present a united front.

Craig Agranoff’s Words

Agranoff said: “The fact that Republicans were unable to pass their own spending bill today is indicative of the deep divisions within the party. There is a growing rift between moderate Republicans and hardline conservatives and this rift is making it difficult for Republicans to govern effectively.”

Reducing IRS Money

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The proposed spending bill targeted funds allocated by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, a move met with opposition from both moderates and the far-right faction within the party. Despite this, House Republicans generally agree that they want to reduce IRS money.

GOP in Disarray

Republicans have consistently advocated for reducing IRS funding, unlike Democrats who believe that doing so would only benefit the wealthy and harm the working and middle classes. “The fact that Republicans were unable to pass their own spending bill today is a sign that the party is in disarray. It is also a sign that Mike Johnson may not be the best candidate to lead the Republican Party in the future,” Agranoff said.

Speaker Johnson’s Leadership

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The withdrawal of the spending bill raises questions about Speaker Mike Johnson’s ability to lead the Republican Party effectively. Agranoff said that, as a hardline conservative, Johnson’s struggle to unite the caucus and pass the bill may impact his reputation within the party and his future leadership prospects.

The GOP’s Internal Divisions

Apart from IRS funding, House Republicans are grappling with internal divisions on abortion and FBI funding. More moderate members are worried about a clause preventing Washington, D.C., from implementing a regulation safeguarding employees against workplace discrimination related to choices about reproductive health. Simultaneously, more conservative members aim to strike FBI funding, citing concerns about political weaponization and advocating against a massive new headquarters.

A Difficult Decision Women Have To Make

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Representative Marc Molinaro said that Congress must “be much more respectful of the difficult decision that women have to make. There’s probably about five to eight of us that have expressed a concern regarding the one provision being placed in the bill.”

A New FBI Headquarters

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“I don’t believe that the FBI deserves a massive new headquarters or Washington field office,” Representative Matt Gaetz said. Representative Steve Womack disagreed, saying it would be bad for the government “to deny a federal agency that is in serious need, in my opinion, of an improvement to their headquarters.”

The Internet’s Response

News of the withdrawal of the bill was shared across the internet and people rushed to comment sections to give their views. One person said: “The GOP needs to put forth a spending bill that complies with the agreement they made with Biden before the last near-shutdown. It would pass on a bipartisan basis. The fact that they don’t want to live up to that agreement tells everyone watching how devoid of character the do-nothing party is.”

A New Level of Bootlicking

Others called out middle and working-class GOP voters: “Most Republican voters will never be able to retire but are threatening civil war if rich people have to pay taxes. They’ve taken bootlicking to a whole new level.”

Rich People Paying Taxes

One individual explained why they would never vote for the GOP: “I want rich people to pay taxes and not get a penny in subsidies – a fancy word for welfare. It’s just one of the many reasons I would never consider voting Republican.”

A “Tired” Republican Voter

Another commenter wrote: “It is time for the GOP to get off their seats and do what they claim they are going to do for a change. We supporters are tired of words and no actions. Give someone else your job if you find it too difficult to come up with a plan and follow through.”

The Clown Show Continues

One person called for Speaker Johnson to lose his job: “When are they going to vote him out? Mike Johnson has no idea how the government works, let alone how to govern. The clown show continues.”

The GOP’s Puppet Masters

Another individual said: “The GOP’s wealthy and powerful puppet masters will not be happy. The wealthy and powerful must be protected at all costs from paying their fair share of taxes. Otherwise, what’s the point of owning the GOP?”

Removed From Reality

Others claimed that the GOP would soon be “obsolete.” One such user commented: “The Republican Party is so far removed from reality so as to become obsolete soon. When a handful of members can control our government, we are on a road to total government failure.”

Religion and Politics

One person pointed to Johnson’s religious beliefs: “Johnson is better suited to be a preacher than a congressman. Whatever happened to the separation of religion and politics? Since they are now in politics, should they not pay taxes?”

Lawmakers, Not Fools

The term “clown show” came up a lot and plenty of people referred to House Republicans as “fools.” One individual wrote: “This is a daily clown show we get to pay for. The GOP needs right-thinking lawmakers, not fools.”

Republicans Destroying America

Another commenter said: “The GOP is destroying America. I’m terrified to think about what might happen if they take power in 2024. We’d be doomed… really doomed, especially if it’s Trump or DeSantis.”