Politics
NEW: Key GOP Holdout Signals Willingness To Support ‘Big Beautiful Bill’
Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) suggested that he is open to reversing his position on the Trump-backed “Big Beautiful Bill” omnibus resolution, which the administration has touted as a landmark piece of legislation that will provide billions in additional funding for border security and deportation capacity.
Paul has emerged as the most vocal Senate GOP opponent of the legislation as the president’s July 4 deadline looms. The Kentucky lawmaker has said it would be fiscally irresponsible to support the legislation due to debt ceiling increases, while proponents have argued the claim is inaccurate due to the fact that tax cuts are counted as deficit increases by the Congressional Budget Office.
During an appearance on “Meet The Press” Sunday, Paul suggested that he is becoming increasingly open to the possibility of supporting the legislation after a productive conversation from President Trump.
“I talked to the president last evening after the parade, and we’re trying to get to a better place in our conversations,” the senator said. “And I’ve let him know that I’m not an absolute no. I can be a yes.”
Paul continued, “I like the tax cuts. I actually agree with Art Laffer and supply-siders that a lot of times when we cut rates we actually get more revenue. So I don’t have as much trouble with the tax cuts. I think there should be more spending cuts.”
“I like the tax cuts. I actually agree with Art Laffer and supply-siders that a lot of times when we cut rates we actually get more revenue. So I don’t have as much trouble with the tax cuts. I think there should be more spending cuts.”
The statement represents a major breakthrough when just earlier this week, the relationship between the senator and the White House appeared to be at an all-time low. Paul accused the administration of revoking his tickets for the annual White House picnic, a move he called “petty.”
Things started to improve on Thursday, when Trump disputed the claim and formally extended an invite to the senator and his family in a Truth Social post. “Of course Senator Rand Paul and his beautiful wife and family are invited to the BIG White House Party tonight. He’s the toughest vote in the history of the U.S. Senate, but why wouldn’t he be?” the president wrote. “Besides, it gives me more time to get his Vote on the Great, Big, Beautiful Bill.”
Still, Paul stressed that a number of his primary concerns with the bill still remain. “But if they want my vote, they’ll have to negotiate, because I don’t want to vote to raise the debt ceiling $5 trillion,” the Kentucky lawmaker told NBC News.
