Washington, D.C. – On Tuesday, President Donald Trump urged Senate Republicans to stay in Washington and pass his sweeping budget bill before they head home for summer vacation.
The bill, which Trump refers to as the “Big, Beautiful Bill,” has sparked significant debate within the Republican Party as some lawmakers warn that it could greatly increase the deficit and must be reworked in the Senate.
Trump posted on his Truth Social platform:
“Now that we have made PEACE abroad, we must finish the job here at home by passing ‘THE GREAT, BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL,’ and getting it to my desk, ASAP. It will be a Historic Present for THE GREAT PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, as we begin the Celebration of our Country’s 250th Birthday.”
He continued:
“We are finally entering our Golden Age, which will bring unprecedented Safety, Security, and Prosperity for ALL of our Citizens. To my friends in the Senate, lock yourself in a room if you must, don’t go home, and GET THE DEAL DONE THIS WEEK. Work with the House so they can pick it up and pass it IMMEDIATELY. NO ONE GOES ON VACATION UNTIL IT’S DONE. Everyone, most importantly the American People, will be much better off thanks to our work together. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
Rand Paul and Other Critics Raise Concerns Over the Bill
However, not all Republicans are on board with the legislation. Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), a leading critic, has voiced strong opposition to the bill, which combines tax cuts with increased spending. Paul explained his stance in early June, writing:
“If the bill were solely about making the 2017 tax cuts permanent, I wouldn’t be a yes; I’d be a hell yes. Unfortunately, that’s not the reality with this bill. It includes the largest increase of the debt ceiling ever and will have the United States borrowing $5 trillion over the next two years. This bill is the opposite of conservative, and we should not pass it.”
The Bill’s Unpopularity and Potential Election Fallout
Public opinion on the bill has been largely negative. According to CNN’s Harry Enten, polling on the bill shows significant disapproval, which could harm the Republican Party in the upcoming 2026 midterm elections. Enten analyzed the latest polling and noted:
“You know, I’m rarely really surprised when I look at polling data. I look at it every day. But the amount of disapproval for this bill, holy cow, my goodness gracious. And you know, you mentioned the KFF poll. We’re talking about 29 points underwater on the net favorable rating. But that matches the Quinnipiac University poll from last week, when it was 26 points underwater. Oh, my God, you need Greg Louganis to get that far underwater.”