Senate GOP Leaders Face Spending Squeeze on Trump’s Big Bill

Senate GOP leaders are under pressure as they begin work on President Trump’s legislation, with divisions emerging over spending cuts and Medicaid impacts. Major figures like Senators Johnson and Collins voice concerns about potential debt increases and harms to constituents, respectively. As pressures mount, Majority Leader Thune must manoeuvre carefully within party factions while meeting a pressing July deadline for a debt ceiling raise.

The Senate GOP is gearing up to tackle legislation reflecting President Trump’s domestic agenda, which has just cleared the House. Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) is caught between party factions that are pushing for significant changes to the bill. This includes demands for deeper spending cuts to offset what some see as irresponsible debt increases linked to the proposal, which might add around $2.3 trillion to the national debt.

Key voices opposing the current bill include Senators Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and Ron Johnson (R-Wis.). Johnson voiced his concerns, saying, “It’s wrong. It’s immoral. It has to stop,” on a Fox News interview, emphasizing a responsibility to future generations. Meanwhile, Thune also faces internal resistance regarding proposed cuts affecting critical programs like Medicaid and SNAP, especially as Senators begin to gauge the possible repercussions on their constituents.

Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine), who previously supported an initial version of the budget, has now raised alarms about the potential implications for those on Medicaid. As she heads towards re-election in 2026, alongside other vulnerable senators like Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) and Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), any cuts might be framed as a major risk. Conversely, Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), a Trump ally, remains cautious about rolling back Medicaid benefits, even as he seems open to some reforms in terms of benefits being tied to work.

Another point of contention is the clean energy tax credits, which some GOP senators wish to preserve despite being on the chopping block to balance the new funding. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) has highlighted this divide among Republicans. Procedurally, Thune also has to navigate a complex Senate rule known as the Byrd bath, aimed at ensuring that any legislation remains focused on fiscal spending rather than broader policy shifts, which Democrats are likely to challenge.

With a very narrow margin, Thune might find room to push the bill through the Senate. But any amendments would require a return to the House, where the Republican majority is also quite slim. Additionally, there’s urgency behind this process as the Treasury has set a July deadline for Congress to raise the debt ceiling to avoid a damaging default.

Original Source: www.nbcnews.com