Republican lawmakers, joined by Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, have raised concerns over controversial items included in a spending bill unveiled by House Speaker Mike Johnson.

The bill, designed to avert a partial government shutdown ahead of the Friday deadline, proposes to fund the government through mid-March.

The bill, which Johnson stated is the result of bipartisan negotiations, has sparked criticism for its inclusion of unrelated provisions and extensive length.

Celebrate Trump's Historic 2024 Victory with the Exclusive Trump 47th President Collection!

Among the items causing contention is $100 billion in disaster aid for Hurricanes Milton and Helene, which some GOP lawmakers argue should have been addressed in a standalone vote.

Senator Mike Lee, R-Utah, took to social media to voice his frustration. “What do RFK Stadium, $50 billion for Big Pharma, and two new Smithsonian museums do for Americans devastated by the hurricanes?” Lee posted on X (formerly Twitter) Tuesday night.

Do you think the economy will come back roaring quickly when Trump takes office?

By completing the poll, you agree to receive emails from RVM News, occasional offers from our partners and that you've read and agree to our privacy policy and legal statement.

One of the controversial provisions involves transferring ownership of RFK Stadium from the federal government to Washington, D.C.

This move was celebrated by Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-D.C., a non-voting House member, who praised the inclusion of the measure in the spending bill.

“I am pleased this important bill was included in the CR, which must pass this week for the federal government to avoid a shutdown,” Norton said. “The RFK Stadium bill is a win-win for the federal and D.C. governments.”

Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., also criticized the bill’s length and content. “The first 9 pages of this Continuing Resolution are all we need to keep the government open; the other 1,500+ pages are a handbook on how the government plans to waste your tax dollars for a bit,” Mace posted on X.

Elon Musk, who co-leads the newly established Department of Government Efficiency under President-elect Trump, joined the chorus of criticism. Musk shared a photo of the printed spending bill, captioning it: “Ever seen a bigger piece of pork?” In another post, Musk declared, “This bill should not pass.”

The spending bill includes funding for various projects beyond disaster aid, including $50 billion for pharmaceutical research and the establishment of two new Smithsonian museums.

Critics argue that these additions dilute the focus on immediate needs, such as disaster relief, and exemplify the misuse of taxpayer dollars.

The debate over the bill comes as the government faces a looming shutdown if an agreement is not reached by Friday.

Thomas Massie called out the timing of it, reveling the playbook…

While the bill’s supporters argue that the provisions were part of necessary bipartisan negotiations, Republican lawmakers and Musk continue to push for a more streamlined approach that eliminates what they see as wasteful spending.

As the deadline approaches, the spending bill remains a flashpoint for broader discussions about government efficiency, fiscal responsibility, and the inclusion of unrelated provisions in essential legislation.

Whether the bill will pass as written or face revisions in the final hours remains to be seen.