Lawmakers are calling for the preservation of an Afghan visa program as President-elect Trump vows steep spending cuts. (Getty Images)
People in Trump's orbit, including some House Republicans, are pushing for him to have greater control over how congressionally appropriated funds are spent.
Meanwhile, Trump tapped Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy last month to lead an advisory panel on cost-cutting dubbed the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
The duo have already positioned themselves as influential players in Congress' spending discussions as well, having led the revolt against a 1,547-page government funding bill that was a product of bipartisan negotiations. They have not, however, said where they want to see Congress pull back on spending.
Reps. Jason Crow and Zach Nunn, both military veterans, led the bipartisan letter. (Getty Images)
The 51 lawmakers pushing for the Afghan SIV program to be preserved argue it is "a life-saving path to safety for Afghan nationals who face serious danger as a result of their work alongside U.S. troops, diplomats, and contractors."
"Congress must continue this work so that the State Department is able to issue visas to eligible Afghans who face imminent threats from the Taliban, Islamic State, and other hostile groups because of their service to the U.S. and our allies," they wrote.
The Afghan SIV program was first enacted in 2009, but saw new importance after the Taliban's lightening-fast takeover of Afghanistan in 2021 – which precipitated the U.S.'s withdrawal after decades in the Middle Eastern country.
Congress authorized additional visas under the program every year since FY 2019, according to the letter.
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Congressional negotiators have so far failed to come to an agreement on FY 2025 spending, forcing lawmakers to pass two extensions of last year's funding levels to prevent a partial government shutdown.
The most recent extension, called a continuing resolution (CR), gives lawmakers until March 14 to make a deal.
Elizabeth Elkind is a politics reporter for Fox News Digital leading coverage of the House of Representatives. Previous digital bylines seen at Daily Mail and CBS News.
Follow on Twitter at @liz_elkind and send tips to elizabeth.elkind@fox.com
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/dozens-house-lawmakers-rally-around-funding-afghan-visa-program-trump-vows-major-spending-cuts