House Republicans call spending bill 'an indefensible assault on the American people'

Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) is leading nine House Republicans and three members of Congress-elect in urging GOP senators to not vote for the finalized spending bill, which they called "an indefensible assault on the American people."

In a letter Monday addressed to "Senate Republican Colleagues," the lawmakers criticized executive branch agencies and "Biden bureaucrats" for an "abuse of power and dereliction of duty," and said Congress needs to use the power of the purse to secure the southern border. 

"This slated 'omnibus spending bill' is an indefensible assault on the American people. It is an assault on the separation of powers. It is an assault on fiscal responsibility. It is an assault on basic civic decency. And a vote for any omnibus in the remaining days of a Democrat led government is a vote in favor of that assault," the Republicans wrote. 

The members threatened that if the Senate passes the bill, they will oppose "any legislative priority of those senators" who voted for it, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.). They said the Senate could stop the bill with 41 votes, which would create a filibuster. The Senate is slated to vote on the legislation before Christmas break.

"Americans – especially those in border states – are begging for an end to this border crisis and the restoration of order and sanity at our border," the Republicans wrote. "They are tired of having to personally pay to manage what the federal government is supposed to be doing. And any omnibus bill that further empowers Democrats and disregards this crisis is a slap in their face."

Roy's letter was signed by Freedom Caucus Reps. Scott Perry (Pa.), Dan Bishop (N.C.), Andy Biggs (Ariz.), Matt Rosendale (Mont.), Matt Gaetz (Fla.), Ralph Norman (S.C.), Bob Good (Va.), Bryon Donalds (Fla.) and Andrew Clyde (Ga.). Members-elect who signed the letter are Anna Paulina Luna (Fla.), Andy Ogles (Tenn.) and Eli Crane (Ariz.).