Sen. Mike Lee to GOP Senators: Don’t Depart Washington Throughout Spending Combat

As debate continues within the Senate relating to the $1.85 trillion omnibus spending invoice, one conservative senator is asking his Republican colleagues to remain in Washington.

“Republican senators: DO NOT LEAVE WASHINGTON. We want you right here to assist Title 42,” tweeted Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, Wednesday night time.

Lee’s plea got here amid his battle to get a vote on persevering with to maintain in place Title 42, which permits the U.S. to shortly expel unlawful immigrants throughout a public well being disaster such because the COVID-19 pandemic, as an modification to the omnibus spending invoice.

“After getting actually every thing they need on this 4,155-page monstrosity, the Democrats gained’t give us an up-or-down vote on an modification to protect Title 42. Why? As a result of it can move, and that terrifies them as a result of they need chaos on the border,” tweeted the Utah senator Wednesday night time.

He added: “All Senate Republicans must be prepared and prepared to return to the Capitol to assist Title 42, even on brief discover.”

Senate Democrats have thus far not allowed a vote on Lee’s modification.

It’s doable that Lee’s modification might derail passage of the $1.85 trillion omnibus. “If we don’t get an omnibus handed by tomorrow then Sen. [Mitch] McConnell has mentioned he’s for a [continuing resolution] into subsequent yr, so it seems like we’re on a path to a CR,” mentioned Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, per Politico.

A bunch of Home Republicans have been urging Senate Republicans to forgo passing the omnibus spending invoice in order that the brand new Home GOP majority can negotiate a spending take care of the Senate in 2023.

“Senate Republicans have the 41 votes essential to cease this and will accomplish that now and present the Individuals who elected you that they weren’t fallacious in doing so,” a gaggle of Home conservatives wrote in a letter Monday. “The American folks didn’t elect us—any of us—to proceed the established order in Washington, as this invoice will undoubtedly do.”

Lee confirmed assist for a delay in one other couple of tweets Monday night time, writing:

With a 4,155-page omnibus spending invoice that advances Democratic priorities and spends an excessive amount of cash, Republicans ought to do not forget that they don’t must assist this beast. … Senate Republicans ought to as an alternative assist a short-term spending invoice, permitting the brand new Congress—with the incoming Republican Home—to start out the spending course of over once more in January.

Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, who mentioned he helps the omnibus spending invoice, tweeted in assist of Lee.

“Republicans are prepared to work with Democrats, however by no means prices,” wrote the South Carolina senator, including, “If the omnibus – which dramatically will increase navy spending and funds the federal government – fails as a result of Democrats care extra about letting Title 42 lapse than funding the federal authorities, so be it.”

“If this invoice fails as a result of Senator Lee was not allowed a vote on extending Title 42, will probably be one of many lowest factors within the historical past of the US Senate,” Graham mentioned.

Heritage Basis coverage analysts have criticized the omnibus spending invoice as a “huge assortment of special-interest handouts and gas for the fires of inflation and the woke, leftist institution” and warned that it “will stifle our financial system and speed up the dissolution of the material of our civil society for a few years to return.” (The Each day Sign is the information outlet of The Heritage Basis.)

Senate Majority Chief Chuck Schumer had urged senators to vote on the omnibus spending invoice shortly on Tuesday, citing the climate. “We should end passing this omnibus earlier than the deadline on Friday when authorities funding runs out, however we hope to do it a lot prior to that as a result of we’re conscious {that a} nor’easter is barreling down the East Coast on Thursday and Friday,” Schumer mentioned, per The Hill.

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