Latest news with #bigbeautifulbill
Fox News
5 days ago
- Business
- Fox News
GOP leader vows to work through July 4th if necessary to deliver Trump's 'big beautiful bill'
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., says he's willing to keep senators on Capitol Hill through weekends and holidays, even rolling into the July 4th recess if necessary to pass the "big beautiful bill" now simmering in the Senate. "It is a huge priority, obviously, for the president. He campaigned on it," Thune said this weekend on "Fox News Sunday." "This is an agenda that we are all committed to, and we will roll into the 4th of July recess, if necessary, in order to get this on the president's desk." Republicans supportive of the bill fret that the Trump-backed measure won't reach the president's desk by the July 4th holiday. Texas Sen. Ted Cruz is among those doubtful. Addressing the concern, Thune told Fox News' Shannon Bream with confidence, "It'll get done." The South Dakota Republican also addressed those inside his own party reluctant to offer their "yeah" for the "big beautiful bill," with some citing concerns it could contribute to the deficit. Thune said, on the one hand, the bill contains "pro-growth" policies — tax, energy and regulatory in nature. On the other hand, he said, the bill would offer a massive spending reduction. "This will be the largest spending reduction in history," he said. "You're talking over a trillion, a trillion and a half, up to $2 trillion. We'll see where we finally end up in the Senate, but it will be a major reduction in spending, coupled with reforms to programs to get rid of waste, fraud, and abuse, and then also have on the other side pro-growth policies." "You get greater growth in the economy, more revenue here, spend less here, and pretty soon you can start seeing things balance out… But you have to start somewhere, and that's what this bill does."
Daily Mail
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Trump invites Rand Paul to Congressional Picnic after alleged snub
President Donald Trump's cheeky bite back to a Senate Republican at odds with his 'big, beautiful bill 'made waves across social media platforms Thursday morning. Kentucky Republican Rand Paul had previously told reporters Wednesday that the White House had disinvited him from the annual Congressional Picnic, set to take place there later Thursday evening. But Trump contradicted his own White House on Thursday, indicating that 'of course' Paul and his family could attend. 'He's the toughest vote in the history of the U.S. Senate , but why wouldn't he be? Besides, it gives me more time to get his Vote on the Great, Big, Beautiful Bill,' Trump wrote in a post on his social media site Truth Social on Thursday morning. 'It will help to, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! I look forward to seeing Rand. The Party will be Great!' Trump concluded. Speaking to reporters outside of the Capitol Wednesday, Senator Rand Paul (R-Kentucky) shared that his invitation to the President's Congressional picnic had been cancelled. 'I've just been told that I've been uninvited from the [ White House ] Democrat will be invited, every Republican invited, but I will be the only one disallowed. I just find this incredibly petty', Paul said. The Daily Mail is reaching out to Paul's office to see if the senator is choosing to take up the president's new invitation. President Trump has had Paul in his crosshairs over the past few weeks, as the Senator has been opposing the president's 'big,beautiful' budget bill. Paul's primary opposition to the legislation has been over the projected new additions to the national debt. While he wants to see the President's 2017 tax cuts extended, Paul has portrayed the current $5 trillion in new debt as 'Biden spending levels.' 'This will be the largest increase in the debt ceiling ever in our history. We've never raised the debt ceiling without meeting the target,' Paul told Fox News earlier this month. 'I think it is a terrible idea to do this' Paul told Fox News earlier in June.' During another recent appearance on CBS' Face the Nation, Paul told host Margaret Brennan that the math in Trump's 'big beautiful bill' 'doesn't really add up.' 'One of the things this big and beautiful bill is, is it's a vehicle for increasing spending for the military and for the border. It's about $320 billion in new spending,' Paul said at the time. Trump has been attacking Paul on social media for weeks just as Senate Republicans have been grappling with the massive spending legislation. 'Rand Paul has very little understanding of the BBB, especially the tremendous GROWTH that is coming. He loves voting 'NO' on everything, he thinks it's good politics, but it's not. The BBB is a big WINNER!!!' Trump wrote on Truth Social. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has also piled on . 'Well, anyone who votes against the one big, beautiful bill including Senator Rand Paul, will be voting for a tax hike of more than $4 trillion on the American people and their voters will know about it,' Leavitt warned earlier this month.
Fox News
05-06-2025
- Business
- Fox News
Democrats Like Elon Again?
Elon Musk broke with President Trump on the big beautiful bill so now, of course, Liberals are back to agreeing with Elon Musk! I'm Tomi Lahren, more next. It's no secret Elon Musk doesn't care for the big beautiful bill that's currently hanging in the balance. He, and several budget hardliners such as Senator Rand Paul, have rightfully pointed out the bill doesn't cut enough, and while still far too fiscally conservative by Democrat standards, doesn't go far enough for many Republicans. And ya know what, fair enough. Still, with such a thin majority and such pressing agenda items such as the 2017 Trump tax cut extension, no tax on tips, overtime and social security promises, and border and immigration funding bumps, the GOP can't let perfect be the enemy of the good. But the funniest, most predictable part of it all is that now that Elon has publicly broken with Trump on this particular issue, Democrats find themselves lauding Elon! It doesn't add up though because Elon's criticism of the bill is that it's not conservative ENOUGH… But the Left doesn't care. Anyone who is even a little itty bitty bit against Trump is their one and only litmus test! I'm Tomi Lahren and you watch my show 'Tomi Lahren is Fearless' at Learn more about your ad choices. Visit
Al Jazeera
04-06-2025
- Business
- Al Jazeera
White House makes misleading claims about Democratic opposition to tax bill
In a news statement this week, the White House cherry-picked personal income tax-related elements in the 'big, beautiful bill', the wide-ranging tax and spending bill being pushed by United States President Donald Trump, and claimed that, in opposing the legislation as a whole, the Democratic Party was opposed to every individual item contained within it. Such a tactic is misleading, particularly since the White House cited measures in the bill that have been championed by Democrats to improve the lives of Americans and are not the reasons the Democrats have given for opposing the 'big beautiful bill'. Here's a fact-check of what the White House claims Democrats oppose: 'They're opposing the largest tax cut in history, which will put an extra $5,000 in their pockets with a double-digit percent decrease to their tax bills. In fact, Americans earning between $30,000 and $80,000 will pay around 15% less in taxes.' The specifics of the tax bill have not been finalised. In its current form, it would cut taxes by an average of 2.4 percent, for middle-income households, according to analysis by the Tax Policy Center. While it is a significant tax cut, it is not the biggest in history. That was under Ronald Reagan in 1981 at 2.9 percent. It is accurate that there will be a double-digit percentage decrease in tax bills, at least in the immediate term, at a little more than 11 percent across all tax brackets. It is also true that people earning between $30,000 and $80,000 will pay 15 percent less, according to the Non-Partisan Joint Committee on Taxation. 'They're opposing NO TAX ON TIPS for the millions of Americans who work in the service industry and NO TAX ON OVERTIME for law enforcement, nurses, and more.' This is true only in their opposition to Trump's tax and spending bill. Democrats and Republicans have supported the concept of no tax on tips. Both Donald Trump and the Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris pledged to do so on the campaign trail. Senate Democrats backed the No Tax on Tips Act, passed by the US Senate on May 20. The bill, authored by Republican Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, was co-sponsored by notable Democrats, including Jacky Rosen of Nevada and passed unanimously. 'They're opposing historic tax cuts for senior citizens' Outside of the 'big beautiful bill', Democrats have generally not opposed tax cuts for seniors. Many Democrats have championed legislation that would expand tax cuts for seniors. California Democrat Jimmy Panetta co-sponsored a Republican led bill that would increase the standard deduction for adults over the age of 65 by $4,000. In 2024, House Democrats introduced the 'You Earned It, You Keep It Act', which would effectively eliminate taxes on social security benefits. The bill, however, has never made it past committee. 'They're opposing a boost to the child tax credit.' Again, they are opposing Trump's 'big beautiful bill', not objecting to the child tax credit. In fact, Democrats have long pushed to expand the child tax credit. In April, Senate Democrats, including Georgia's Raphael Warnock and Colorado's Michael Bennett, introduced legislation that would expand the child tax credit. The bill would increase the tax credit, from $2,000 where it currently stands, to $6,360 for newborns, $4,320 for children ages one to six and $3,600 for children six to 17, permanently. While the 'big beautiful bill' would also increase the child tax credit, it would do so only by $500, and that would kick in in 2028. 'They're opposing new savings accounts for newborns and the chance for children across America to experience the miracle of compounded growth.' In the 'big beautiful bill', House Republicans introduced new savings accounts for children. The accounts would include a $1,000 handout for every child born between January 1, 2025 and January 1, 2029. Democrats have not only been supporters of the idea for savings accounts for newborns, but prominent Democrats actually championed it. In 2018, Cory Booker of New Jersey introduced the American Opportunity Accounts Act, which would also give $1,000 to newborns and up to $2000 in annual contributions. He reintroduced the bill again in 2023. 'They're opposing expanded access to childcare for hardworking American families.' This appears to be false. The White House link refers to the Paid Family and Medical Leave Credit, not child care access. Trump's bill offers up to 12 weeks of paid leave for employees who have worked a year and earn $57,600 or less. While that gives parents more time at home, Democrats have focused on expanding access to child care, including universal pre-K. In 2023, Republicans opposed a Democratic plan to keep child care centres open that struggled in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. 'They're opposing historic border security to keep their communities safe.' Last year, Trump pressured Republicans to vote against a bipartisan border security bill, a move that reportedly helped Trump's chances of winning in November 2024. Democrats have opposed Republican plans to use US military bases for migrant detention, arguing that it misuses Department of Defense resources. Democrats have long opposed border wall funding, including during Trump's first term. A 2018 Stanford University analysis estimated that a border wall would reduce migration by just 0.6 percent. Despite this, the 'big beautiful bill' allocates more than $50bn to complete the wall and maritime crossings, $45bn for building and maintaining detention centres, and $14bn for transportation. 'They're opposing expanded health savings accounts that give Americans greater choice and flexibility in how they spend their money.' This is sort of true. Democrats have not been huge proponents of health savings accounts. The belief is that healthcare savings accounts do not help the socioeconomically disadvantaged, who may not have the financial resources to contribute to the accounts. Democrats have also objected to other cuts to healthcare in the bill, including the potential $880bn that could be cut from essential government programmes like Medicaid. 'They're opposing scholarships that empower Americans to choose the education that best fits the needs of their families.' In the bill, the White House is conflating the longstanding debate on school choice with scholarships. Under school choice, funds otherwise allocated to the public school system can be re-allocated to private institutions, which Republicans argue will allow students to have potential access to a higher quality education. Democrats have opposed school choice because it diverts funds from public school systems, many of which are already drastically underfunded. In Texas, Senator Ted Cruz, for example, pushed legislation that would expand school choice, even as three out of four school districts in the state are underfunded, according to a Kinder Institute analysis.
Fox News
03-06-2025
- Business
- Fox News
Trump criticizes Rand Paul over tax bill opposition: 'Votes no on everything'
President Donald Trump on Tuesday criticized Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., for opposing his "big, beautiful bill." "Rand Paul has very little understanding of the BBB, especially the tremendous GROWTH that is coming. He loves voting 'NO' on everything, he thinks it's good politics, but it's not. The BBB is a big WINNER!!!" Trump wrote on TRUTH Social. The president added, "Rand votes NO on everything, but never has any practical or constructive ideas. His ideas are actually crazy (losers!). The people of Kentucky can't stand him. This is a BIG GROWTH BILL!" Paul is among a group of at least four Republican senators who have expressed apprehension over Trump's "big, beautiful bill" due to the budget package's projected increase in the national debt. The White House has framed the bill as a solution to four years of failures under former President Joe Biden. Sens. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, Rick Scott of Florida, and Mike Lee of Utah, three other Republicans in the upper chamber, have also shared concerns about the bill's fiscal implications. Paul told Breitbart News on Monday that while he believes the left is "adrift," most Republicans are shying away from intra-party debates on certain issues, similarly to how Democrats acted after former President Barack Obama's re-election win. Paul reportedly said he supports "a lot" of Trump's budget package but disagrees with "the additional $5 trillion in debt" the senator claims is attached to the bill. "That's a hard place for me as I support much of what's in the bill, tax cuts, spending cuts, plus more spending cuts if we can get them. But I can't reconcile myself to adding $5 trillion in debt, raising the debt ceiling," Paul said. The senator told Breitbart the debt is going to be $2.2 trillion this year and Republicans have largely continued Biden-era spending levels. "They're anticipating $5 trillion in two years, and that means next year's deficit that some people are saying it's going to grow to over $3 trillion a year again," Paul said. The senator separately expressed to the Associated Press that he told Trump this would be the first time in recent history that Republicans would "own" the debt ceiling if an increase of the nation's debt limit was included in the GOP's sweeping tax and spending package. Paul reportedly added in the Breitbart interview that his opposition to portions of the "big, beautiful bill" are meant to preserve the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)'s progress down the road. "My fear is that when this bill passes that the ramifications a year out, two years out, will be, 'My goodness, what happened to DOGE? What happened to the spending cuts? Why is the deficit so big still?'" he said. "So I am working very hard to make sure there is still at least a part of the party — and it doesn't have to be anti-Donald Trump because I'm for him in so many ways — but it also means people still have to stand up and present their own ideas of what they're for." "I do support President Trump and I support most of the bill," Rand also wrote on X, explaining his position. "I'm his biggest defender on foreign policy. But at the same time I want conservative government so I have to fight for what I believe in." Trump and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-South Dakota, met at the White House at a critical moment Monday as senators returned to begin negotiations over the president's big tax breaks and spending cuts package. Thune said that GOP senators are "on track" to have the package approved by their July 4 deadline. But Thune also acknowledged the long road ahead as senators grind through private talks over changes to put their own stamp on the House-passed bill. Thune told the Senate floor on Monday that Republicans' priority is "extending tax relief for hardworking Americans and strengthening our border, energy, and national security." Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., meanwhile, says Trump told him in a call he "wants to make sure" the Senate doesn't cut Medicaid benefits, according to the AP. The Missouri Republican has been working to strip steep healthcare cuts from the House bill, beyond work requirements for some aid recipients. Hawley said Trump told him the senators could instead raise revenue by closing the so-called carried interest tax loophole used by wealthy filers.
