The Senate is currently reviewing President Trump’s ambitious multi-trillion dollar budget bill, which narrowly passed in the House last month. This legislation, described as "big and beautiful" by the President, is facing scrutiny from several Republican senators who worry about its high costs and potential cuts to Medicare.
Democratic Senator Jeff Merkley from Oregon expressed concerns during an interview with NPR’s Steve Inskeep. He pointed out that many Republican colleagues are uneasy about the bill’s implications for American families. Merkley highlighted that the proposed budget could lead to millions of children going hungry and around 14 million Americans losing their health insurance coverage, all to provide tax breaks for the wealthiest individuals.
Merkley cited the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) as the source for the estimate of 14 million people losing coverage, emphasizing the importance of accurate fiscal data in the legislative process. He mentioned that the reconciliation process, which allows certain budgetary measures to pass with a simple majority, has specific rules that could affect the bill’s final form.
The conversation also touched on various provisions in the bill, including one that could limit judges’ powers and another that would prevent states from regulating artificial intelligence for a decade. Merkley believes these elements are likely to be removed as they do not align with the budget-focused nature of the reconciliation process.
Inskeep raised concerns about the bill’s potential to increase the federal deficit despite proposed spending cuts. Merkley agreed, stating that the wealthiest Americans would benefit significantly from tax breaks, while struggling families would see very little relief. He suggested that cutting these tax breaks could help reduce the deficit, highlighting a stark contrast in the bill’s benefits across different income levels.
As the Senate continues to debate this budget bill, the outcome remains uncertain. Merkley and other Democrats are hopeful they can influence changes to protect vulnerable populations, while Republicans face pressure to unite in support of the President’s plan. The next steps in this legislative process will be crucial for shaping the final budget and its impact on American families.