Senator Rand Paul from Kentucky recently stated that he would consider supporting President Trump’s "big, beautiful bill" if a proposed debt ceiling increase were removed. Paul shared his thoughts during an appearance on CBS’ "Face the Nation," where he responded to Trump’s social media comments urging him to back the legislation.
Paul mentioned that he and three other Republican senators are holding out against the bill unless it is revised. He expressed his desire for tax cuts to be made permanent but emphasized his concern over raising the debt ceiling by five trillion dollars. "The GOP will own the debt once they vote for this," he warned.
Trump had previously criticized Paul, suggesting that a vote against the bill would align him with Democrats and lead to a significant tax increase. Trump argued that opposing the bill could result in the U.S. defaulting on its debt for the first time in history. He urged Paul to reconsider, stating that the economic growth and potential future cost-cutting measures would address any financial issues.
Next week, Senate Republicans will review the bill and consider modifications, which could pose challenges for House Speaker Mike Johnson, who can only afford to lose three votes for it to pass. The goal is to get the legislation, which includes Trump’s priorities on taxes, immigration, and national debt, to the president’s desk by early July.
This ongoing discussion highlights the tensions within the Republican Party as they balance fiscal conservatism with the pressure to support the president’s agenda.