Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has publicly criticized the influence of Tesla CEO Elon Musk over the ongoing government shutdown negotiations.
The situation has escalated as House Speaker Mike Johnson's revised continuing resolution faces staunch opposition from both Democrats and conservatives, with Musk's involvement drawing attention. Clinton took to social media platform X to express her concerns, stating, "If you're just catching up: the Republican Party, taking orders from the world's richest man, is on course to shut down the government over the holidays, stopping paychecks for our troops and nutrition benefits for low-income families just in time for Christmas."
The proposed resolution aims to extend government funding for three months while suspending the debt limit for two years. However, it has been met with criticism for potentially increasing national debt without addressing underlying fiscal issues.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries dismissed the proposal as "laughable," emphasizing that it lacks seriousness and fails to address critical concerns.
Adding to the controversy, Representative Jamie Raskin highlighted Musk's growing influence in political matters, questioning whether he has become "the fourth branch of government." Raskin remarked, "Everybody agreed, and then it was blown up by Elon Musk, who apparently has become the fourth branch of government. And that's just an intolerable way of proceeding."
The deadline to fund the government looms ominously, with disagreements over spending levels and policy riders stalling negotiations.
Musk has reportedly opposed the original spending deal negotiated by Johnson with Democrats, warning of primary challenges against any Republican supporting it. As the situation unfolds, the potential government shutdown threatens to disrupt essential services and impact millions of Americans.
The involvement of high-profile figures like Musk has added a layer of complexity to the already tense political landscape.
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