Republican Representative Supports Continuing Resolution Amid Government Shutdown Threat, Citing "DOGE" Effort and Term Limit Push
As the specter of a government shutdown looms, fueled by disagreements over federal spending, a surprising voice has emerged in support of a short-term solution. Representative Ralph Norman, a Republican from South Carolina and a member of the fiscally conservative House Freedom Caucus, has indicated his support for a continuing resolution (CR) to avert a potential crisis.
This stance is noteworthy given Norman’s usual opposition to CRs, which he views as a temporary fix that delays addressing fundamental budgetary issues. However, Norman argues that the current circumstances warrant a different approach, citing what he refers to as the "DOGE" effort. According to Norman, this initiative, which he links to Elon Musk and, indirectly, former President Donald Trump, aims to identify and eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse within the federal government.
Norman asserts that this audit of federal spending requires time to distinguish between essential programs and those characterized by inefficiency or mismanagement. He believes a CR would provide the necessary breathing room to thoroughly evaluate the federal budget and make informed decisions about spending priorities.
"What’s different now is the DOGE effort to find waste, fraud, and abuse," Norman stated in an interview. He alluded to Elon Musk’s role, indicating that under Trump’s direction, Musk has been uncovering "excess spending." Norman emphasized that "it will take time to sort the good from the bad in the federal government" and that, crucially, "we’ve never had that before."
Former President Trump has also publicly advocated for a "clean" CR, signaling a potential alignment between the former president and some members of the House Freedom Caucus on this particular issue. Trump, in a Truth Social post, argued that a CR would allow House Republicans to continue working on their agenda and implement spending cuts and tax reforms through reconciliation.
"Government funding runs out next week, and Democrats are threatening to shut down the Government – But I am working with the GREAT House Republicans on a Continuing Resolution to fund the Government until September to give us some needed time to work on our Agenda," Trump wrote. "Conservatives will love this Bill, because it sets us up to cut Taxes and Spending in Reconciliation, all while effectively FREEZING Spending this year, and allowing us to continue our work to, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN. VERY IMPORTANT – Let’s get this Bill done!"
Norman expressed optimism that the twelve appropriation bills for the next fiscal year will be passed on time during the six-month period afforded by a CR. This would suggest a desire to move beyond short-term measures and establish a more sustainable and predictable budget process.
Beyond his stance on the CR, Norman remains a vocal advocate for term limits for federal lawmakers. He has proposed a Constitutional amendment that would restrict House members to three terms and Senators to two terms. This initiative, which aims to prevent career politicians from becoming entrenched in Washington, D.C., has garnered support from both Republicans and a few Democrats.
Norman’s term limit proposal reflects a broader concern about the potential for corruption and detachment from constituents among long-serving politicians. He argues that limiting terms would encourage fresh perspectives and ensure that lawmakers remain accountable to the people they represent.
"The congressman, who has served in the House since mid-2017, is pushing a proposed Constitutional amendment that would term limit federal lawmakers, blocking them from lingering in the D.C. power bubble for decade after decade, as some politicians do now."
While the proposal previously fell short of clearing the House Judiciary Committee, Norman has reintroduced it this year and continues to push for its passage. He is joined in this effort by Senator Ted Cruz and a group of other GOP senators who are championing the amendment in the Senate.
Norman, who has a background in business, believes that experience outside of government is valuable for lawmakers. He suggested that individuals with experience in the private sector, who have both made and lost money, are better equipped to understand the challenges and opportunities facing American businesses and families. He contrasts this with those who have spent their entire careers in government service.
"Many people have never done that," he said, referring to the experience of running a business. "They lived on the public, ah, dole for a long period of time," he added, citing former President Joe Biden as an example.
Norman’s remarks underscore a growing sentiment among some voters that politicians should not solely rely on government salaries and benefits. He believes that the Founding Fathers did not intend for political office to become a career path and that lawmakers should have experience outside of the political arena.
"The public does not think politicians should simply live on the federal government," Norman said. "The founders did not, the Constitution did not intend that."
Norman’s support for a CR, despite his usual opposition, highlights the complex dynamics surrounding the ongoing budget debate. His justification for this stance, centered on the "DOGE" effort to identify wasteful spending, adds an interesting layer to the discussion. Coupled with his unwavering advocacy for term limits, Norman presents himself as a reformer seeking to improve the efficiency and accountability of the federal government. The coming weeks will reveal whether Congress can reach a consensus on funding the government and avoid a disruptive shutdown.
