One of the bigger points of confusion on the BBB is spending vs tax cuts.
The lefty CBO says extending the 2017 tax cuts (preventing their expiration) increases the deficit.
Some critics have seen this figure and claimed or implied the bill increases *spending.*
Even according to CBO, the bill cuts spending over $1.6 trillion.
So when a libertarian (eg Rand) attacks the “deficit” impact of the bill they are attacking the tax cut.
Of course, honestly accounted, extending current tax rates has zero deficit impact which is why the bill, because of its spending cuts, reduces the deficit.
A second major point of confusion is what’s actually in a reconciliation bill. It is not an appropriations bill, or a general budget bill. It provides no funding or authorization for 99%+ of the operations of government. It was written not by appropriators but some of the most conservative members of the House. It has not a single Democrat provision or vote.
The bill has three principal sections: tax cuts, welfare reform, immigration and border security. It is a dream bill.
— Stephen Miller (@StephenM) June 4, 2025