GOP Rebels Fire Warning Shot in Shutdown Showdown: No DOGE, No Deal

FIRST ON FOX: A brewing battle over government spending has conservative lawmakers in the House and Senate warning Republican leaders Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune not to touch the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in upcoming negotiations. With the March 14 government shutdown deadline looming, the message is clear: No DOGE cuts, no deal.

"We are deeply concerned about recent reports of Democrats’ demands for a government funding agreement that would perpetuate the unsustainable status quo of wasteful spending," Senator Rick Scott and House Freedom Caucus Chairman Andy Harris wrote in a letter to congressional leaders. They also emphasized that any attempt to limit the president’s authority to cut wasteful spending would be a "nonstarter." Talk about setting the tone early.

The letter, co-signed by 19 other Republicans, reflects a coalition of lawmakers determined to stand their ground. Among the signatories are notable GOP figures like Senators Mike Lee, Ron Johnson, and Marsha Blackburn, as well as representatives like Anna Paulina Luna and Andy Biggs. This isn’t your average group of party loyalists—they’ve shown before that they’re not afraid to stir the pot.

Senator Rick Scott, the new chairman of the Republican Senate Steering Committee, seems to be positioning himself as a key player in this debate. His committee has historically been a hub for conservative influence in the Senate, and this latest move is no exception.

In a recent appearance on Fox News, Speaker Johnson hinted at the challenges ahead. He suggested that a temporary funding measure, or "clean CR," might be necessary to keep the government running. However, he made it crystal clear that any attempt by Democrats to restrict the president’s authority or DOGE’s mission would be rejected outright. "We’re not doing that. That’s a nonstarter, and Democrats know that, so I hope they’ll be reasonable," he stated. Bold words, but will they hold up under pressure?

Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Thune’s office declined to comment, leaving the ball squarely in Johnson’s court for now.

Former President Donald Trump has also weighed in, blaming the Biden administration for the budgetary mess. Posting on Truth Social, Trump urged lawmakers to pass a clean funding bill to avoid a shutdown, saying, "Let’s get it done!" If there’s one thing Trump excels at, it’s keeping the spotlight on himself.

The House Freedom Caucus and the Senate Steering Committee have both demonstrated their willingness to challenge GOP leadership in the past. With the clock ticking, their resolve could complicate negotiations as Republicans will need some Democratic support in the Senate to pass any funding measure. Sixty votes are required, meaning at least seven Democrats would need to cross the aisle. In the House, the slim Republican majority leaves little room for dissent within their own party.

At the heart of the debate is DOGE, the Trump-era initiative aimed at slashing government waste. While Republicans tout it as a necessary measure to curb spending, Democrats argue that it has led to harsh budget cuts and widespread federal worker layoffs. Now, Democrats are pushing for safeguards to ensure that appropriated funds are spent as intended, rather than being redirected or cut by DOGE.

Sources suggest that this could lead to a specific provision in the spending bill to limit DOGE’s authority. Whether that’s a dealbreaker for Republicans remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: this shutdown showdown is far from over.

The deadline is March 14, and with both sides digging in their heels, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Buckle up, folks—it’s going to be a bumpy ride.