Politics
Republican Senator Rebukes Trump Tax Bill: ‘Enough’ Votes to ‘Stop the Process’
By Jake Beardslee · May 26, 2025
Trump’s Spending Bill Clears House, Faces GOP Revolt in Senate
A sweeping tax and spending package championed by President Donald Trump narrowly passed the House last week, but faces growing opposition from within his own party in the Senate. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) warned that there are “enough” Republicans prepared to block the legislation unless major spending cuts are made. The White House / Wikimedia
Trump’s “Beautiful Bill” Slashes Medicaid, Boosts Military Funding
The bill, dubbed the "One, Big, Beautiful Bill" Act, includes cuts to domestic programs like Medicaid and education while redirecting funds to the military and border security. It also delivers on some of Trump’s 2024 campaign pledges, such as a temporary tax break on tips. The White House / Wikimedia
$3.3 Trillion Deficit Spike and Debt Ceiling Hike Spark GOP Alarm
Passed by a single vote in the House on May 22, the measure is projected to add approximately $3.3 trillion to the federal deficit over the next decade. It also contains a $4 trillion debt ceiling increase, which is necessary to avoid default by August. Elijah Mears / Unsplash
Ron Johnson Says GOP Has “Enough” Votes to “Stop the Process”
"I think we have enough to stop the process until the president gets serious about the spending reduction and reducing the deficit," Johnson said in a May 25 appearance on CNN's "State of the Union." He added, "This is our only chance to reset [spending] to a reasonable pre-pandemic level." Jack Gruber / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Rand Paul Rips Bill as “Not a Serious Proposal”
Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) also criticized the proposal, telling Fox News Sunday that while he might accept minor spending cuts, the bill ultimately fails on fiscal responsibility grounds. “The math doesn’t add up,” Paul said. “It’s just, you know, not a serious proposal.” Michael Clevenger/Courier Journal/USA TODAY NETWORK / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Speaker Johnson Says Fixing Debt Will Take Time: “It Took Us Decades”
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) defended the bill while acknowledging GOP concerns. Speaking on Fox News Sunday, he called deficits a “serious problem” and likened the process of reducing the national debt to turning an aircraft carrier: “It takes a mile of open ocean. It took us decades to get into this situation.” Jack Gruber / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images