President Donald Trump’s budget chief, Russell Vought, defended the administration’s proposed legislation known as the "one big, beautiful bill" during an appearance on "The Ben Shapiro Show." This bill is currently making its way through Congress and aims to address several key issues, including funding for Trump’s domestic priorities, preserving the 2017 tax cuts, and raising the debt limit.
Vought responded to concerns from conservative lawmakers who worry that the bill doesn’t do enough to tackle the national deficit, which stands at nearly $37 trillion. Some fiscal conservatives have expressed "heartburn" over the possibility that the bill could add to the deficit or increase national debt.
Vought emphasized that the bill includes a historic level of mandatory savings, totaling $1.6 trillion. He pointed out that for the last 30 years, there have been minimal efforts to control spending programs, particularly those tied to welfare and Medicaid. He noted that significant reforms have not been made since the 1997 Balanced Budget Agreement.
According to Vought, the proposed legislation aims to implement reforms that would remove illegal immigrants from Medicaid and introduce work requirements for Medicaid recipients. He believes these changes will help reintegrate individuals into the workforce and ultimately contribute to economic growth.
Vought explained that cutting spending is difficult without a growing economy. He stressed the importance of maintaining tax relief while extending current spending cuts. He described the proposed savings as unprecedented, claiming that this is a unique opportunity for Congress to make meaningful changes in federal spending.
As the bill moves forward, Vought and other supporters are working to build support among GOP lawmakers, hoping to convey the significance of the proposed savings and reforms.