A push to return to pre-pandemic spending levels is gaining traction in the Senate as President Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” arrives, sparking widespread concerns about its projected impact on the national debt. This demand for fiscal conservatism could force major changes to the House-passed legislation.
The bill, which includes tax cuts, increased border and military spending, and reductions in Medicaid, is moving through the reconciliation process, allowing for a simple majority vote in the Senate. However, the narrow Republican majority means that senators like Ron Johnson, who advocates for pre-pandemic spending, have significant leverage.
Johnson’s primary concern revolves around the bill’s projected impact on the national debt, which the CBO estimates will rise by $3.8 trillion over a decade due to the tax provisions. He even proposes splitting the bill into two separate pieces of legislation to address the fiscal challenges.
Beyond the deficit, the controversial Medicaid cuts are also drawing scrutiny. The Byrd Rule further adds to the uncertainty, as non-budgetary provisions, such as those related to AI regulations or gun control, could be stripped from the bill, fundamentally altering its scope and requiring it to return to the House for final approval.