Tensions are rising within the Republican Party as leaders push forward with President Trump’s deficit-busting budget plan, with some GOP lawmakers expressing strong opposition over the lack of meaningful spending cuts. The proposal, which would raise the national borrowing limit by $5 trillion while providing just $4 billion in spending reductions, has raised alarms among fiscal conservatives within the party.
Rep. Ryan Zinke, a former Trump Cabinet secretary and Montana congressman, voiced his frustration during a tense GOP meeting on Tuesday, noting, “The math doesn’t add up.” Zinke was among several Republicans who privately questioned the Senate’s budget plan, expressing concern that it would exacerbate the nation’s debt problem. Zinke, who served as interior secretary under Trump’s first term, emphasized the need for more substantial fiscal responsibility in the face of mounting national debt.
Zinke’s concerns are shared by a growing number of House Republicans, particularly those who consider themselves “fiscal hawks.” At least a dozen members have signaled they are unwilling to support the Senate’s budget, despite pressure from Trump and GOP leaders eager to advance his agenda and reassure financial markets amid the implementation of reciprocal tariffs. These lawmakers have made it clear that taming the national debt remains a top priority, and they are unwilling to approve a plan that does not address this fundamental issue.
House Republicans, including key figures like Rep. Lloyd Smucker, vice chair of the House Budget Committee, have expressed dissatisfaction with the proposed budget. Smucker, who has generally supported party priorities, stated that he cannot accept a proposal that lacks enforceable spending cuts. “I want to support the president, but I think this is the right time to begin addressing our fiscal state,” Smucker said in an interview.
While GOP leaders remain confident that they will eventually win over enough skeptics to pass the Senate budget, the plan faces significant opposition. House Speaker Mike Johnson is expected to push for a vote later this week, but the fate of the proposal remains uncertain.
The division within the party reflects a broader challenge for Republicans, who must navigate the complex balance between advancing Trump’s policy goals and adhering to their long-standing commitment to fiscal conservatism. Several members of the hardline House Freedom Caucus, including Reps. Chip Roy and Eli Crane, have already voiced strong opposition, with Roy bluntly stating that the Senate’s plan “doesn’t add up.” Crane called the proposal “pathetic” and emphasized that only serious spending cuts could persuade him to support it.
As the debate intensifies, fiscal hawks like Rep. Ralph Norman are standing firm on their demands for significant cuts. Norman, who has advocated for as much as $8 trillion in reductions, warned that he would “go home” rather than support a bill that fails to tackle the deficit.
With a growing number of Republicans expressing skepticism about Trump’s budget, GOP leaders face a difficult road ahead in securing enough support to move forward with the plan. As the party grapples with its fiscal priorities, it remains to be seen whether Trump’s ambitious agenda will be derailed by the party’s internal divisions.
