Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) became the only GOP Senator to break with the party in voting against a budget resolution that ultimately passed on a 52-48 vote.
The resolution will, among other things, fund Donald Trump’s mass deportation plan after his border czar Tom Homan said there were insufficient funds for the operation to deport millions of illegal immigrants let into the United States by former President Joe Biden.
The budget sets aside $175 billion for border security, which will be used for Trump’s border wall with Mexico, and a $150 billion boost to the defense budget.
The resolution is targeted at specifically border security and military spending which isn't the "one big beautiful bill," that Trump called for.
Senate Democrats were successful in putting up significant resistance to the bill via endless amendments and other procedural roadblocks. This entire situation hasn't reflected well on the Senate GOP and suggests that the next two years could be full of fruitless struggles.
Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), the Republican chair of the Senate budget committee, defended the situation claiming that other priority issues would be addressed in separate bills.
Graham stated, "This budget resolution is a complete gamechanger when it comes to securing our border and making our military more lethal. It will allow President Trump to fulfill the promises he made to the American people – a very big deal."
Graham also highlighted the need for this resolution to pass immediately saying, "I hope the House can pass one big bill that meets President Trump’s priorities. But this approach provides money that we needed yesterday to continue the momentum on securing our border, enforcing our immigration laws and rebuilding our military. Time is of the essence."
The situation has illustrated the difficulties that the Trump administration will deal with as a result of the slim majorities that the GOP hold in both the House and the Senate.
The House GOP caucus is particularly problematic as House Speaker Mike Johnson is reportedly having trouble getting all GOP Representatives to fall in line for Trump's desired "one big beautiful bill."
While Trump has significant power to prosecute his agenda in the executive branch, it's becoming clear that Congress is going to be Trump's biggest problem over the next few years.
Senator Paul wasn't the only GOP Senator who was planning a protest vote against the bill as Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) was planning on voting against it as well until he personally spoke to Trump.
Now the nation's attention will turn to the House where the biggest fight is set, likely over possible cuts to Medicare as the GOP pursues cost-cutting measures to offset tax cuts.
The GOP is looking to find $2 trillion in spending reductions and will look to cut $900 billion in unnecessary expenses related to health care programs. This has emerged as the keystone issue as many Democrats and even moderate Republicans are resistant to cuts.
Trump will have to get involved and will likely have to make more calls to get wayward Representatives to fall in line as the House gets ready to push truly game-changing legislation.
