Johnson and Paul clash over debt ceiling extension in Trump’s spending bill

House Speaker Mike Johnson engaged in a heated debate with Sen. Rand Paul over spending cuts and the national debt in President Donald Trump’s latest bill. The discussion took place on “Fox News Sunday” with host Shannon Bream, where Johnson defended the need to extend the debt ceiling to prevent a potential economic crisis.
According to Johnson, the extension of the debt ceiling is crucial to avoid defaulting on the nation’s debts, especially since Democrats are unlikely to support such a measure. He emphasized the importance of including it in the reconciliation package to ensure its passage through the Senate.
In response, Paul criticized the current version of the bill, calling the proposed spending cuts “wimpy” and insufficient to address the mounting debt. Despite his support for permanent tax cuts, Paul expressed concerns about the bill’s impact on the national debt, warning that it could lead to a significant increase in the deficit.
Paul proposed an alternative solution of raising the debt ceiling by $500 billion every three months to hold leadership accountable for addressing the issue. He argued that this approach would force policymakers to prioritize reducing the deficit and demonstrate a commitment to fiscal responsibility.
The debate between Johnson and Paul reflects the broader divide within the Republican Party over fiscal policy and government spending. While Johnson defended the necessity of extending the debt ceiling, Paul emphasized the need for more substantial spending cuts to prevent further escalation of the national debt.
As the discussion continues, it remains to be seen how Congress will address the issue of the national debt and whether a consensus can be reached on the best course of action. The differing viewpoints of Johnson and Paul highlight the complexities of budget negotiations and the challenges of balancing competing priorities in government spending.
Anders Hagstrom is a reporter with Fox News Digital covering national politics and major breaking news events. For more updates and insights, follow him on Twitter: @Hagstrom_Anders.