Donalds Explains Continuing Resolution as Stopgap for Appropriations Bills

Representative Byron Donalds (R-FL) introduced a continuing resolution (CR) on government spending that became the subject of an X (formerly Twitter) battle with Representative Matt Gaetz (R-FL). In an appearance on Newsmax's Rob Schmitt Tonight, Rep. Donalds offered further clarification, explaining the CR was a stopgap to get 12 appropriation bills through.

Rep. Donalds began by explaining that the resolution's pulling from the House floor has allowed Republicans to meet in the party whip's office to negotiate the 12 appropriation bills and top-line spending numbers.

"What is really occurring here is, I am focused on getting 12 appropriation bills across the line. We have always agreed on that, and whether or not there was a short-term measure or not, the purpose has always been to get those 12 appropriation bills done so we can get the woke weaponized crap out of our government and be focused on securing the border for the American people," said Donalds.

Host Rob Schmitt replayed the clip of Rep. Gaetz denouncing Donalds' CR on the House floor, accusing it of allowing Special Prosecutor Jack Smith to continue his persecution of former President Donald Trump.

Donalds reiterated that Smith would not be affected by a government shutdown in the first place because the Department of Justice (DOJ) exempts Special Prosecutors from shutdowns. More importantly, House Republicans are trying to agree on top-line spending numbers at "the 11th hour."

"The problem is that there has been no agreement on what the top-line spending numbers are. Now, obviously, we are in the 11th hour, and the most unfortunate thing is Washington always seems to work on deadlines and cliffs. Now members are in the office actually trying to figure out how to land on top-line numbers in those bills," Donalds continued.

Schmitt then asked if this would bring change to the House, especially if it means spending cuts and "not putting all these bills together where nobody knows what is in them and they do not get read."

Donalds expressed optimism in his answer, saying there has never been the level of deliberation for the appropriation bills seen in 30 years, something the Senate is not doing at all.

"My hope is yes, because members are locked in on this thing and that is frankly the way it should go overall. Now they said, "Are we going to need more time?" I am not quite sure yet. It may be possible. But one of the reasons we looked at a short-term measure to extend government spending is because we do have who are talking with Democrats about essentially voting for a clean continuing resolution, which would change nothing at the border and nothing on spending, and the short-term resolution was to avoid that in order to continue work on the appropriations," Donalds concluded.