Freshman Sen. Mark Kirk (R., Ill.) and all 12 Republican senators-elect have written a frankly-worded letter to Leaders Harry Reid (D., Nev.) and Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.) announcing their “united opposition” to the omnibus spending package, and “strongly urging” senators — of both parties — to wait until the new members take office next year before passing any long-term spending measures:
In November, the American people clearly rejected Congressional action on bloated spending bills that are pushed through at the last minute that few, if any people, have read. Americans rejected massive spending bills, wasteful spending and business as usual in Washington.
We look forward to supporting a disciplined, transparent process that does not rush a 1,900+ page Omnibus Appropriations bill through Congress without opportunity for debate or amendment. The misguided Omnibus Appropriation bill should be rejected in favor of a short-term Continuing Resolution to keep the federal government operational until the 112th Congress with its new mandate in place.
. . . Come January, we stand ready to fight for fiscal responsibility, spending cuts and budget restrictions that will get our nation back on track.
Kirk told reporters at a press conference that the omnibus package was “the number one issue in America” and its passage would fly in the face of the message sent by the midterm elections. He referred to the letter’s co-authors as “fully qualified ambassadors” of that message. Kirk offered some daunting facts regarding the physical size of the bill — 1,924 pages in length: If laid end-to-end it would be more than 1,300 feet long; each dollar appropriated in the bill would, if laid end-to-end, stretch for more than 310 million miles.
Kirk rejected the idea that Republicans who supported the omnibus deserve a primary challenge, and seemed resigned that at least a few Republican senators would ultimately vote in favor of the bill. “I think there’s hardly any pressure that can be put to bear on someone who is retiring,” Kirk said, likely referring to Sen. Bob Bennett (R., Utah), who has already indicated he intends to vote for the omnibus, and Sen. George Voinovich (R., Ohio), another potential yes vote. “That’s up to their conscience,” he added, insisting that everything was being done to rally opposition within the party.
Asked how he thought the remainder of the lame-duck session would play out, Kirk responded: “I think we’re in for a long time.”
The letter was signed by Sen. Kirk, and Sens.-Elect Rand Paul (R., Ky.), Kelly Ayotte (R., N.H.), Pat Toomey (R., Pa.), Roy Blunt (R., Mo.), Marco Rubio (R., Fla.), John Hoeven (R., N.D.), Ron Johnson (R., Wis.), Mike Lee (R., Utah), Rob Portman (R., Ohio), John Boozman (R., Ark.), Dan Coats (R., Ind.), and Jerry Moran (R., Kan.).