Senate Republicans Call Kevin McCarthy Bluff After Threat of GOP Civil War

The U.S. Senate passed a $1.7 trillion omnibus spending package on Thursday with support from a solid group of Republicans, ignoring calls from House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and some other GOP House members to oppose the legislation.

After passing the Senate in a 68-29 vote, the package now heads to the Democratic-controlled House for final passage to prevent a potential government shutdown before the end of the year. From there, it would go to President Joe Biden's desk.

But the legislation has become a point of contention between Republican members of Congress as some vehemently oppose it and others support it. Notably, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has faced backlash from fellow Republicans like McCarthy and Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene over his openness to negotiate with Democrats on the bill.

Last week, he told reporters that he would back a "truly bipartisan full-year bill without poison pills" if it was ready for Senate passage by the end of the following week.

"Otherwise, we'll be passing a short-term continuing resolution into the new year," McConnell added.

That short-term continuing resolution (CR), which would freeze federal funding levels until next year, is exactly what some Republicans are vying for. Greene slammed McConnell last week and called on him to back the short term CR now so that Republicans will be able to use their new narrow majority in the House next year for better leverage in negotiations.

"Every Republican in the country should be demanding Mitch McConnell actually do his job as Republican leader in the Senate and stop helping [President Joe] Biden and the Democrats continue to destroy our country. Pass a CR into '23 and NO OMNIBUS!!!" Greene tweeted on December 14.

McCarthy also said last week that he hopes Senate Republicans won't vote in favor of the omnibus bill since they could have a stronger hand in the new year.

Some Republicans have even threatened retribution against their GOP Senate colleagues for supporting the omnibus bill. A group of 13 current and incoming House members sent a letter to GOP senators this week warning that they would do everything in their power to "thwart even the smallest legislative and policy efforts" of senators who vote in favor.

"Kill this terrible bill or there is no point in pretending we are a united party, and we must prepare for a new political reality," the letter concluded.

Newsweek reached out to McCarthy and Representative Chip Roy, one of the House members who signed the letter, for comment.