House Republicans unveil a $1.5 trillion budget blueprint that revises key Trump policies, sparking internal party debates and opposition from Democrats.
At a Glance
- House GOP proposes $1.5 trillion in spending cuts over 10 years
- Plan includes $300 billion for border security and defense
- $4.5 trillion allocated to extend Trump-era tax policies
- Budget faces resistance within Republican party and from Democrats
- Senate Republicans pursuing a narrower budget focused on border security and defense
House Republicans Present Ambitious Budget Plan
House Republicans have unveiled a sweeping budget blueprint that aims to revise key aspects of President Donald Trump’s policy agenda. The proposal, which seeks to cut $1.5 trillion in federal spending over the next decade, has ignited debates within the GOP and drawn criticism from Democrats.
The budget plan, presented by House GOP leaders, proposes an additional $300 billion for homeland security and defense measures. It also includes a substantial $4.5 trillion allocation to ensure the continuation of Trump-era tax policies. This ambitious framework leverages the budget reconciliation process, potentially allowing passage with limited Democratic support.
Internal GOP Debates and Resistance
The proposal has faced resistance from within the Republican party, with some members calling for even deeper cuts.
“I think it’s probably going to have to be modified in some way before it comes to the floor,” House Freedom Caucus Chairman Andy Harris, R-Md. said.
House Speaker Mike Johnson is working to navigate these internal dynamics to secure passage of the budget. The plan directs House committees to cut spending by at least $1.5 trillion, with the aim of achieving a $2 trillion reduction over 10 years. Proposed cuts include $880 billion from health care, $330 billion from education, $230 billion from agriculture, and $10 billion from transportation.
Prioritizing Trump’s Agenda
The budget blueprint reallocates funds to align with Trump’s priorities, including a $100 billion defense spending increase and $90 billion for Homeland Security. Ways & Means Chairman Jason Smith, R-Mo., emphasized the importance of extending Trump’s tax policies, stating, “Let me just say that a 10-year extension of President Trump’s expiring provisions is over $4.7 trillion according to the (Congressional Budget Office). Anything less would be saying that President Trump is wrong on tax policy.”
However, some Republicans have expressed concerns about the $4.5 trillion allocated for extending Trump’s Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, R-N.Y., voiced her reservations, particularly regarding relief for State and Local Tax deductions (SALT) and tax reductions for senior citizens.
Democratic Opposition and Senate Differences
Democrats have strongly criticized the plan, accusing Republicans of prioritizing tax cuts for the wealthy at the expense of essential programs. House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries argued, “Why? Their primary objective is to enact massive tax cuts for their billionaire donors and wealthy corporations. That’s what the Republican budget is all about.”
Meanwhile, Senate Republicans are pursuing a narrower budget focused primarily on border security and defense, separate from the House’s broader approach. The Senate Budget Committee’s plan includes $175 billion for border security and $150 billion for defense but excludes tax cut extensions. This divergence in priorities has led to clashes between House and Senate Republicans over the distribution and emphasis of proposed financial resources.
