Speaker Johnson on CNBC’s Squawk Box: “We Have to Get the Job Done”

March 21, 2024

Contact: Taylor Haulsee

WASHINGTON — This morning, Speaker Johnson joined CNBC’s Squawk Box to discuss the Fiscal Year 2024 appropriations package, Leader Schumer’s comments on Israel, and American energy independence.

Click here to watch the full interview

Excerpts from the interview below:

On the Fiscal Year 2024 Appropriations

“Well, look, I say it all the time. democracy is messy. It’s particularly messy right now and in a moment like this, but we have to get the job done and there are some very substantial wins in here. You know, 70% of the spending package is the Department of Defense, its defense spending, and we all know what a critical time it is. The world is on fire. We’ve also at the same time… cut unnecessary, and I think ridiculous, spending. The DEI programs, for example, take a $50 million haircut here, so we can take care of our priorities and do the right thing.

“Another big piece of this is border security. Republicans, on our side, we want enforcement of the law. That’s what the administration is not doing. So, in this package, we’re able to increase enforcement capacity. We’re increasing the number of detention beds for ICE so that we can hold those who come in illegally and we’re supplying more Border Patrol agents. 22,000 of those that was in our package H.R. 2, our border security measure.

“…We’re also cutting spending for the IRS expansion fund about $20 billion of that and then you get rescission of some of the other unnecessary duplicative spending… We’ll continue to move forward, and I think next year, totally different process because we’ll have the majorities in both chambers. I’m convinced to that.”

On Leader Schumer’s Call for Elections in Israel

“What Chuck Schumer did was almost staggering, just unbelievable. To suggest to our strongest ally in the Middle East, the only stable democracy, that he knows better how to run their democracy is just patently absurd. I mean, imagine if I came on your show this morning and called for regime change in Ukraine. In the middle of their crisis, fighting for their very survival. That’s what Israel is facing right now. For the leader of the Senate to say such a thing was just outrageous. I think it was received that way in Israel. I don’t think they appreciate that very much. It sends a terrible signal to our allies and our enemies around the world. So, I wish Schumer would keep his comments to himself on all that.”

On Electric Vehicles

“As we say in North Louisiana, that dog don’t hunt. We don’t do that. We drive pick-up trucks, and we’re going to keep doing it, no matter what AOC and Biden said.”

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