Washington, D.C. – Elon Musk has called for a federal government shutdown as the deadline for a 2025 budget vote approaches. Musk, appointed by Donald Trump, aims to curb federal spending, stating, "I wish there were another way, but there isn’t," during a recent statement on X.
In over 56 tweets, Musk criticized a budget proposal by House Speaker Mike Johnson, labeling it "horrible" and "criminal." He urged lawmakers to "kill the bill," which aims to temporarily finance federal operations.
The proposed legislation, spanning 1,547 pages, includes funding for hurricane relief and various unrelated measures, such as promoting tourism and a salary increase for lawmakers.
Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, a biotech entrepreneur, revealed their plan to cut $6.75 trillion in federal spending, focusing on eliminating costly regulations and programs, particularly in defense. They oppose Johnson's proposal, which allocates an additional $5.7 billion for Virginia-class submarines.
As the political landscape shifts, Musk has influenced several Republican representatives to oppose the funding bill. Many have publicly declared their intent to vote against it, citing Musk's pressure. The proposal's fate remains uncertain, with Johnson and Senate colleagues having the opportunity to draft a new bill by week’s end, contingent on Trump and Musk's approval.
The recurring threat of a government shutdown has become a hallmark of the polarized Congress, with lawmakers typically reaching last-minute agreements to avoid halting government operations.