House Republicans have advanced a budget framework aimed at prioritizing spending for border security, defense, and energy initiatives, while also seeking to extend the tax cuts implemented during President Trump’s administration in 2017. The House Rules Committee unanimously approved the budget blueprint on Monday, setting the stage for a full vote in the House expected on Tuesday.
The proposed budget outlines plans to cut government spending by a minimum of $1.5 trillion, with potential reductions reaching up to $2 trillion. It also sets a cap on the increase to the national deficit at $4.5 trillion over the next decade. The cuts will be managed by various House committees, including the Energy and Commerce Committee, which aims for an $880 billion reduction, the Education and Workforce Committee targeting $330 billion, and the Agriculture Committee looking to cut $230 billion.
House Speaker Mike Johnson emphasized that the resolution is designed to mitigate the economic impact of the impending expiration of Trump’s Tax Cuts and Jobs Act at the end of the year, which he warned could lead to the largest tax increase in U.S. history. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent echoed these concerns, suggesting that failure to extend the tax cuts could result in severe economic consequences for American families.
The budget resolution also allocates up to $300 billion for defense and border security and proposes raising the U.S. debt ceiling by $4 trillion. However, the plan faced opposition from the four Democratic members of the committee, who criticized it for potentially jeopardizing critical social safety net programs like Medicaid and SNAP.
Rep. Jim McGovern, the top Democrat on the Rules panel, condemned the budget as detrimental to everyday Americans, arguing that it prioritizes tax breaks for the wealthy at the expense of essential services. In contrast, Republican representatives defended the budget as necessary for economic recovery, with Rep. Jodey Arrington asserting that it would help alleviate financial burdens on families and restore fiscal health.
Despite the support from all nine Republican members of the Rules Committee, some Republican lawmakers expressed reservations about specific cuts and the overall spending reductions. Notably, Rep. Victoria Spartz and Rep. Tim Burchett publicly opposed the current version of the budget, raising concerns that if more than one Republican votes against it, the resolution could fail in the House.
As the budget bill heads for a full vote, Speaker Johnson expressed confidence that Republicans would unite behind the resolution, which he believes is crucial for preventing significant tax increases and fostering economic growth. The budget framework is expected to be passed through budget reconciliation, allowing it to advance with a simple majority in both chambers of Congress.
The ongoing debate over the budget reflects broader tensions within the Republican Party regarding fiscal priorities and the balance between cutting spending and maintaining essential services. As discussions continue, the implications of this budget for social programs and tax policy will be closely watched by both supporters and critics alike.