Connect with us

CBS News

Rep. Tony Gonzales says “it feels as if Elon Musk is our prime minister” after funding chaos

Avatar

Published

on


Washington — Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales of Texas compared Elon Musk to an unelected prime minister after the Tesla CEO got involved in a tumultuous funding fight on Capitol Hill this week that prompted concern over a possible government shutdown — and previewed dynamics under a GOP-controlled Washington.

“We have a president, we have a vice president, we have a speaker. It feels as if Elon Musk is our prime minister,” Gonzales said on “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan.”

After days of uncertainty, Congress approved a measure to keep the government funded until mid March, which President Biden signed Saturday to avert a shutdown. But the resolution came after multiple dashed attempts to fund the government, including a bipartisan deal scuttled following intense pushback from Musk, who President-elect Donald Trump has selected to lead a new agency called the Department of Government Efficiency or DOGE. After’s Musk’s criticism, Trump ultimately delievered the final blow.  

Musk, who spent $277 million to help Trump win the election and has since become a key member of the president-elect’s brain trust, posted dozens of times on his social media platform X opposing the initial government funding measure following its release. Hours later, after Trump intervened, the deal was dead. 

Gonzales, who was among 34 Republicans who opposed the final measure to keep the government funded, said he did so because his constituents were against the continuing resolution, or CR, “just as much as I was against the CR.”

“It was a vote on my end to say, let’s do our job,” he said, arguing that there’s a “sickness in DC” that won’t be cured by “big, long pork-filled bills.” 

The Texas Republicans said he spoke with Musk a couple times during the week. And Gonzales argued that, although unelected, Musk has a voice that is in large part “a reflection of the voice of the people.” He also argued that Trump deserves credit for whittling the bill down from its initial form. 

Meanwhile, the spending legislation, along with the ensuing chaos in the House, prompted intense criticism of House Speaker Mike Johnson for his handling of the situation. At least one Republican, Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, said he wouldn’t support Johnson for speaker in the new Congress, while questions swirled about his ability to retain enough support to hold onto the gavel.

Despite his opposition to the legislation, Gonzales said he supports Johnson as speaker, arguing that “he’s done a fantastic job keeping us all together” and noting that “it’s like feral cats in the House.”

Gonzales said Johnson has “a tough job to begin with,” while adding that the speaker’s ability to work with the president-elect and Musk to find a solution “just goes to prove that he’s found a way.”



Read the original article

Leave your vote

Continue Reading

CBS News

12/22/2024: The Pager Plot; The Iron River; Joy to the World

Avatar

Published

on


12/22/2024: The Pager Plot; The Iron River; Joy to the World – CBS News


Watch CBS News



First, a report on how Israel’s pagers fooled Hezbollah. Then, a look at Mexico’s legal battle against the U.S. gun industry. And, Samara Joy: The 60 Minutes Interview

Be the first to know

Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.




Read the original article

Leave your vote

Continue Reading

CBS News

12/22 : The Takeout: Rep. Jamie Raskin

Avatar

Published

on


12/22 : The Takeout: Rep. Jamie Raskin – CBS News


Watch CBS News



Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin joins “The Takeout” with lawmakers facing a government shutdown deadline. Raskin discusses Elon Musk’s increasing influence in Washington, and President-elect Donald Trump’s admiration for authoritarian leaders around the world. He also looks at where Democrats went wrong in the 2024 election, and how they need to better communicate key issues to voters.

Be the first to know

Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.




Read the original article

Leave your vote

Continue Reading

CBS News

Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen hospitalized after getting bucked off horse

Avatar

Published

on


Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen was hospitalized after being bucked off a horse he was riding on Sunday, according to a statement from his office. 

2024 Republican National Convention TW
Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen on the last night of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on Thursday, July 18, 2024.

Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images


Pillen had been riding a new horse with members of his family, his office said.

The 68-year-old Republican was initially taken to Columbus Community Hospital and then, “out of an abundance of caution,” to Omaha’s University of Nebraska Medical Center, his office said.

Pillen’s office did not specify what injuries he sustained or how serious they were, but noted he was expected to remain in the hospital for several days.

“The Governor is alert and is in continuous touch with his team,” his office said.

Pillen is currently in his first term as governor, having been elected in 2022 after former Gov. Pete Ricketts was term-limited. Pillen then appointed Ricketts to the U.S. Senate to fill the seat vacated when Ben Sasse resigned to become president of the University of Florida.



Read the original article

Leave your vote

Continue Reading

Copyright © 2024 Breaking MN

Log In

Forgot password?

Forgot password?

Enter your account data and we will send you a link to reset your password.

Your password reset link appears to be invalid or expired.

Log in

Privacy Policy

Add to Collection

No Collections

Here you'll find all collections you've created before.