3 dozen House Republicans urge Senate GOP against 'budget gimmicks,' deficit increases
Share and Follow


More than three dozen House Republicans are warning Senate GOP leaders against approving additional deficit increases or using “budget gimmicks” to count additional savings in the “one big, beautiful bill” of President Trump’s tax cut and spending priorities.

“As the Senate considers changes, we remain unequivocal in our position that any additional tax cuts must be matched dollar-for-dollar by real, enforceable spending reductions,” the 37 members, led by Rep. Lloyd Smucker (R-Pa.), said in a Tuesday letter to Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.), adding that the principle is the “cornerstone” of the budget resolution framework passed by the House and is the “minimum standard for our support.”

The letter further asserted that the members would consider “genuine savings only” as established by that House resolution.

“Offsets must come from permanent reforms that make the budget more sustainable, not timing shifts or other budget gimmicks,” the letter said.

Among the signatories are House Budget Committee Chair Jodey Arrington (R-Texas), House Republican Conference Vice Chair Blake Moore (Utah), and many members of the House Freedom Caucus, including its chair, Rep. Andy Harris (R-Md.).

The Senate is currently considering and expected to make changes to the House-passed megabill that includes extension of tax cuts that Trump signed into law in 2017; boosts to border, deportation, and defense funding; and new restrictions on Medicaid and food assistance programs that are projected to result in millions of individuals losing their health insurance.

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimated the proposed tax cuts in the plan would decrease revenues by more than $3.6 trillion over a decade, while measures to cut federal spending including reforms to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program would reduce outlays by $1.2 trillion over the same period, resulting in a net deficit increase of $2.4 trillion.

Several matters under consideration in the Senate would add to the deficit impact of the bill. 

Some GOP senators are unhappy with provisions to terminate clean energy tax breaks, while others are objecting to the around $800 billion in cuts to Medicaid through provisions like increased work requirements and $267 billion in cuts to food assistance through provisions like making states share the cost of the program for the first time.

“A reconciliation bill that relaxes fiscal discipline reflected in the House-passed bill would invite higher borrowing costs and undermine the economic growth that Americans need to maximize opportunity,” the 37 House GOP members said in the letter. “We urge Senate leadership to keep the reconciliation measure compatible with the House framework while seizing every opportunity to deepen savings.”

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
UNF President Moez Limayem officially confirmed as upcoming USF president

Breaking News: UNF’s Moez Limayem Takes the Helm as New USF President – What This Means for the Future

In September, Moez Limayem emerged as a finalist through the USF Presidential…
Rob Reiner's pals Billy Crystal and Larry David seen at crime scene

Rob Reiner’s Friends Billy Crystal and Larry David Spotted at Crime Scene: Unraveling the Mystery

Hollywood luminaries Billy Crystal and Larry David were visibly shaken as they…
Christmas decorations hang from a tree on the front yard to Rob Reiner

Renowned Photographer Michele Singer Reiner, Influential in Shaping 1980s Romantic Comedies, Passes Away

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Michele Singer Reiner, a noted photographer and producer…
US Army names 2 slain Iowa National Guard members killed in Syria

US Army Identifies Two Iowa National Guard Members Killed in Syria

WASHINGTON (AP) — On Monday, officials identified the two Iowa National Guard…
Attacker who killed US troops in Syria was a recent recruit to security forces: official

Recent Syrian Security Recruit Identified as Perpetrator in Fatal Attack on US Troops

In a tragic incident on Saturday near the ancient city of Palmyra…
Typhur 8 Quart Sync Air Fryer with wireless thermometer is 47% off

Score Big Savings: Typhur 8 Quart Sync Air Fryer with Wireless Thermometer Now 47% Off!

New York Post may be compensated and/or receive an affiliate commission if…
DoorDash driver charged with felony food tampering after alleged pepper spray incident goes viral

Shocking DoorDash Scandal: Driver Faces Felony After Viral Pepper Spray Food Tampering Incident

A woman from Kentucky finds herself incarcerated after allegedly using pepper spray…
Melissa Joan Heart shares a hilarious Christmas dress fail

Melissa Joan Hart Reveals Amusing Christmas Dress Mishap

Last-minute shoppers on the hunt for the perfect party dress are finding…