Senator Markwayne Mullin from Oklahoma recently criticized Democrats for what he called a "lie" about deficit spending. He spoke on "The Faulkner Focus," highlighting the Republican push to pass President Donald Trump’s budget bill. Mullin aimed to clarify how this legislation would affect the federal deficit.
Members of the House Freedom Caucus, a group of conservative Republicans, are expressing serious concerns about the Senate’s version of Trump’s proposed "big, beautiful bill." They argue that the Senate bill could add $1.3 trillion to the federal deficit, in stark contrast to the House’s version, which they claim would only increase the deficit by $72 billion. The Freedom Caucus stated that the Senate bill exceeds their agreed budget framework by $651 billion, even without considering interest costs.
As the Senate works to finalize the bill, expected to be completed soon, the Freedom Caucus warns that it might face significant challenges in the House. Representatives Ralph Norman and Eric Burlison, both members of the Caucus, indicated that the current form of the Senate bill could struggle to pass a procedural vote in the House, which is necessary for further debate.
The Senate’s proposal includes provisions that would raise the debt limit by an additional $1 trillion and make certain corporate tax cuts from Trump’s 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act permanent. In contrast, the House version only extends these cuts temporarily. The Senate bill also features specific additions to address concerns from Senate Republicans, such as a $25 billion fund for rural hospitals and a tax break for whalers.
The Senate is currently using a process called "current policy baseline," which allows them to present the cost of extending tax cuts as neutral. This means that the costs of these cuts are not counted against the budget in the same way they would be otherwise. Without congressional action, these tax cuts are set to expire at the end of 2025.
Despite the Senate’s efforts, the Freedom Caucus members are vocal about their discontent. They believe that without significant changes, the bill may not survive in the House. Norman expressed doubt that the bill would pass in its current form, while Burlison emphasized the importance of an amendment by Senator Rick Scott, which could significantly alter Medicaid funding for states that expanded their Medicaid populations under the Affordable Care Act.
The fate of the Senate bill remains uncertain as lawmakers continue to debate and propose amendments. The Republicans are aiming to have a finalized bill ready for Trump’s signature by the Fourth of July. As discussions unfold, the outcome will depend on whether the Senate can address the concerns raised by the House Freedom Caucus and secure enough support for the legislation.