Johnson and Paul Spar Over Trump’s ‘Wimpy’ Spending Cuts and Soaring Debt

House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senator Rand Paul locked horns over the weekend, trading barbs about the so-called "big, beautiful bill" championed by President Donald Trump. The clash centered on the bill’s spending cuts—or lack thereof—and the looming specter of a ballooning national debt. Johnson, defending the legislation, argued that extending the debt ceiling is non-negotiable to avoid a catastrophic default that could tank the U.S. economy. "We’re not getting any help from Democrats on this," he said, emphasizing the need for a reconciliation package to push it through the Senate.

Paul, however, wasn’t buying it. Labeling the bill’s spending cuts as "wimpy" and "anemic," he warned that the legislation could add trillions to the already staggering $36 trillion national debt. While he supports making the 2017 tax cuts permanent, Paul drew a hard line at exploding the deficit, proposing instead a temporary debt ceiling hike of $500 billion, renewed every three months. "The deficit is the greatest threat to our national security," he declared, urging Washington to take the debt crisis seriously.

The debate underscores a deeper rift within the GOP: balancing fiscal responsibility with political pragmatism. Johnson’s pushing for a deal to keep the government humming, while Paul’s sounding the alarm on runaway borrowing. As the bill moves forward, the question remains—can Republicans reconcile their vision for America’s future without breaking the bank?