A key Republican senator is pushing back against President Donald Trump’s major spending bill, warning that it would add trillions to the nation’s debt.
While Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought claimed there are “massive levels of savings in this bill,” Johnson disagreed.
The senator told ABC News he isn’t worried about political fallout from opposing Trump’s bill.
Instead of one large bill, Johnson wants to split it into two smaller pieces.
On possible criticism from Trump, Johnson said he had a “very cordial conversation” with the president about his concerns.
President Donald Trump’s massive spending bill is being opposed by a prominent Republican senator who claims it would increase the national debt by trillions of dollars.
Sen. Wisconsin’s Ron Johnson told ABC News that despite pressure from the White House to pass what Trump refers to as his “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” by July 4, he cannot support it.
Johnson stated, “I refuse to accept deficits of more than $2 trillion as far as the eye can see as the new normal.”. “Unfortunately, this bill doesn’t address that issue, which is something we need to do. “.”.
The bill would increase the deficit by $2.04 trillion, according to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). According to Russell Vought, director of the Office of Management and Budget, there are “massive levels of savings in this bill,” but Johnson didn’t agree.
The slight cut in the bill is “barely a rounding error in this massive spending,” he said, adding that “we went from $4.04 trillion in spending in 2019 to over $7 trillion this year.”. “,”.
The senator stated to ABC News that he is not concerned about the political repercussions of opposing Trump’s bill.
The fact that we are taking out a mortgage on our children’s and grandchildren’s future worries me. It is incorrect. It’s unethical,” Johnson declared.
Johnson wants the bill to be divided into two smaller parts rather than one big one. His first priorities would be defense, border security, and the extension of existing tax legislation. In order to reduce waste, he then wants Congress to carefully examine government spending.
Johnson stated that he had a “very cordial conversation” with Trump regarding his concerns regarding potential criticism.
“I hope President Trump is successful. Johnson declared, “I’m a big supporter,” but he also acknowledged that it would take time to fix the budget. “.
The bill’s effects on healthcare are also a source of criticism; according to CBO estimates, approximately 11 million people may lose their health insurance.
Johnson held fast to his stance as the July 4 deadline drew near.
He stated that “you have to do the things we agree on,” citing defense, border security, and extending the current tax code as top priorities. “Then return, put in the effort to forensically audit the spending on these programs, and take the necessary steps to lower the deficit trajectory—to bend it downward rather than have it soar upward. “.”.
