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A Senate fiscal watchdog doubts that Republicans will meet their self-imposed deadline to pass President Donald Trump’s “big, beautiful bill.”
Senate Republicans are in a race against time to finalize their version of the significant bill following the House GOP’s progress last month.
All ten Senate committees have thus far released parts of the bill and are currently adjusting each section to align with Senate regulations and address concerns from various party factions.
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Sen. Ron Johnson says not even President Trump can sway him on the “big, beautiful bill.” (Getty Images)
Republican leaders aim to present the package for a vote next week, just before the Independence Day break. However, Senator Ron Johnson from Wisconsin warns there is significant opposition that could derail this schedule.
“I believe we have enough members saying, ‘No, we won’t proceed with the bill before July 4,’” he remarked. “We require more time, but I think we are focused on our current efforts.”
Johnson has consistently advocated for much deeper cuts in this plan, exceeding the House’s target of $1.5 trillion and even aiming for $2 trillion in reductions in the Senate proposal to tackle the national deficit.
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L-R: Senators John Barrasso, John Thune, and Tom Cotton address reporters. (Getty)
His comments were made during a press conference where he presented his 31-page report on the GOP’s attempt to push the president’s agenda through Congress.
The report illustrated various scenarios concerning the economic impact of the Republicans’ proposal, factoring in different growth rates of 2%, 3%, and 4% over time.
This report served to challenge the Congressional Budget Office’s analysis of the bill and the broader federal spending and deficit situation. It also countered leaders’ and the White House’s narratives about the nation’s financial health and the potential implications of the “big, beautiful bill.”
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Ron Johnson recognized House Speaker Mike Johnson’s, R-La., and Trump’s claims about unprecedented cuts from the House proposal but argued that “we’ve experienced an unprecedented surge in spending” since the pandemic began.
“People can debate the trivial details, but I’m encouraging everyone to step back and view the bigger picture,” Johnson said. “It’s on fire, and we need to extinguish this fire.”
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., speaks at a press conference with other members of House Republican leadership in Washington May 20, 2025. (Nathan Posner/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Other members express various concerns as well, including a proposed increase in the debt ceiling and changes to Medicaid, which could unite different factions against the bill.
Senator Thune can afford to lose only three votes if he wants the bill to pass, given that budget reconciliation bypasses the filibuster and Democrats haven’t been included in the current discussions.
Ron Johnson expressed his hope that Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., would not present the complete bill next week, saying, “I really believe it will be rejected.”
“If we vote it down, I don’t want it to be seen as a rebuke towards either Leader Thune or President Trump,” Johnson stated. “It’s simply saying, ‘We need more time. The Senate has had this for two weeks.’”
Johnson has been advocating for separating the megabill into two or three parts, instead of addressing everything in one go. Nevertheless, he noted there must be some mechanism for lawmakers to have “at least two, if not three, opportunities to negotiate.”
“I comprehend that this process is meant to push everyone, but let’s avoid doing what Nancy Pelosi did and saying, ‘We need to pass this bill to understand its contents,’” he added. “Let’s fully understand what’s in it. Let’s honor President Trump’s request. … He expects the Senate to improve the bill.”
