Trump on collision course with conservatives over debt limit [Sen. Rand Paul Quoted]

The Hill ^ | 12/30/24 6:00 AM ET | by Alexander Bolton

[RandFan]

President-elect Trump is headed for a battle over the debt limit with conservative lawmakers who are demanding steep cuts to federal spending that will significantly complicate Trump’s ability to pass his agenda next year.

Thirty-eight House Republicans sent a warning to Trump last week by rejecting his demand to extend the nation’s borrowing authority for two years, casting doubt on Trump’s influence over GOP conservatives.

Conservatives now say Trump will need to agree to deep cuts in spending if he wants their support for raising the debt limit in 2025.

“We’re about 33 percent overdrawn. We bring in about $4.8 trillion [in revenue] and spend $6.8 trillion [per year], so you got to get about $2 trillion worth of spending down,” Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) said.

Paul hailed the defeat of Trump’s plan to raise the debt limit as part of a stopgap government funding measure. He said it shows the leverage fiscal hawks will have over the White House next year.

He said there are blocs of conservatives in both chambers who will insist on matching a debt limit increase with big spending cuts.

“That debate’s going to be ongoing. I for one am going to do what I can to make sure the debt ceiling becomes more important,” he said.

Paul called the defeat of Trump’s proposal to raise the debt limit without spending cuts “a good day for conservatives.”

[Bruce Campbells Chin]

DOGE hasn't cut anything yet, and big cuts will require Congressional approval. I assume the conservatives would be satisfied with cuts regardless of whether they came from DOGE or not. But just because DOGE exists doesn't mean cuts will happen.

The core conflict is that Trump is not a deficit hawk, and will be unlikely to support cuts he believes will hurt his popularity.

[OrioleFan]

It’s all about setting priorities, budgeting, and getting rid of omnibus spending bills.

[napscoordinator]

We’re talking a need of 2 trillion a year cut. Ukraine spending gets us to 1 percent at best.

[Robert357]

Thank you for the corrected information