Senate Majority Leader John Thune admitted that the Republicans in the chamber are split on cutting $1.5 trillion in spending.
The House of Representatives barely passed the budget resolution on Thursday. All but two holdouts voted for it because the leaders promised to cut at least $1.5 trillion in spending.
The resolution is only a framework. Congress wants to push through President Donald Trump’s agenda, which includes extending the 2017 tax cuts and addressing military spending, border security, and energy policy.
I touched on Thune’s comments in my piece but wanted to expand on it more because, honestly, $1.5 trillion is not enough, especially if they want to continue the 2017 tax cuts.
I wish the amount were the reason for the divide.
Nope. Most don’t want to touch a sacred cow: Medicaid.
Republican senators have raised concerns about Medicaid cuts despite House Speaker Mike Johnson’s statement that they’re “committed to finding at least $1.5 trillion in savings for the American people while also preserving our essential programs.”
The House Energy and Commerce Committee must find $880 billion to cut over 10 years. (Uh…I thought it was supposed to be at least $1.5 trillion?)
Politico claimed most of that money “would likely come from Medicaid.”
Cue the freakout. As much as I would love to slash it all, I’m pretty sure they can find trillions to cut that don’t include a sacred cow.
Then again, everything is a sacred cow to Congress. *eye roll*
From Punchbowl News:
It’s a delicate balancing act for Thune. He was reflecting the will of his own conference, which includes a strong contingent of senators drawing the line on Medicaid cuts. Leading up to the House’s vote Thursday morning, Thune even flashed some rare public frustration with House Republicans.“At some point, these guys just have to take yes for an answer,” Thune told us. “We’re aligned. We’re completely aligned with the House.”Thune reasserted his leverage by noting — again — that the Senate is subject to stricter rules about what can be done under the filibuster-proof reconciliation process, particularly when it comes to spending cuts.“Because the House isn’t subject to the Byrd Rule and the Senate is, as we think through how we do this and what we can achieve, we’re gonna have to be in very close coordination [and] consultation with the House,” Thune said.
Then we have a few Republican senators wanting to protect the clean energy tax credits.
Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) said $1.5 trillion is “too meager.” He “wants to cut ‘way more’ than $1.5 trillion over the next decade.”
Our debt is $34 trillion. $1.5 trillion won’t put a dent in the debt.
Also, forget about trying to bring in revenue in other ways. Just cut all the unnecessary spending. It’s out of hand.
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