President-elect Donald Trump has upended the debate on government spending by calling for a premature increase to the U.S. debt ceiling, urging that it be extended until 2029 or abolished altogether. His comments, made in a Truth Social post late Friday, have raised eyebrows across the political spectrum and ignited a fresh round of debate on Capitol Hill.

Trump’s call for an extension of the debt ceiling until 2029 comes at a time when the U.S. federal debt has surpassed $36 trillion. The move represents a sharp contrast to the position traditionally held by Republicans, who have long used the debt ceiling as leverage in negotiations over government spending and fiscal policy.

In a post made early Friday morning, Trump described the current debt ceiling as “ridiculous” and insisted that Congress must either eliminate or extend it to avoid stalling negotiations. “Without this, we should never make a deal. Remember, the pressure is on whoever is President,” Trump wrote.

In an interview with NBC News, Trump further endorsed the idea of abolishing the debt ceiling entirely, describing it as the “smartest thing” Congress could do. This position aligns more closely with liberals and economists who have long criticized the debt ceiling as a political tool that unnecessarily risks default.

Historically, the debt ceiling has been used by both parties as a bargaining chip during budget negotiations. However, Trump’s stance stands in stark contrast to the approach traditionally favored by Republicans, who have used debt ceiling debates to push for spending cuts and tax reforms. Trump’s tax cuts, which are expected to significantly increase deficits, may also contribute to the growing pressure to address the debt ceiling.

While Trump’s position could find some support among Democrats, who have also criticized the debt ceiling, it is less likely to be embraced by many Republicans. Lawmakers from both parties have used the debt ceiling as leverage in negotiations over issues such as defense spending, healthcare, and tax policy.

The debt ceiling, established in 1917, sets a cap on the total amount of debt the U.S. government can incur. As the federal debt has grown, the debt ceiling has been raised numerous times. Failure to raise or suspend the ceiling could lead to a default, with serious consequences for the U.S. economy and its creditors, including Social Security and other trust funds.

Trump’s proposal has sparked a renewed debate about the future of the debt ceiling. Some economists and lawmakers, particularly progressives, have called for its abolition, arguing that it serves as a political tool that endangers the U.S. economy. A group of Senate Democrats recently reintroduced a bill to permanently repeal the debt ceiling.

Despite Trump’s push for change, Republican lawmakers appear to be more cautious. They are unlikely to embrace the idea of permanently removing the debt ceiling, fearing it would diminish their ability to negotiate future spending cuts and other fiscal policies.

As the debate continues, it remains unclear whether Trump’s proposals will gain traction with lawmakers or whether the debt ceiling will continue to serve as a point of contention in future budget negotiations.

Republicans across Capitol Hill are divided over the priorities for Donald Trump’s first 100 days in office, even as the party holds control of both Congress and the White House. The debate is centered on which issues should be addressed first, with differing views between Senate and House Republicans threatening to delay or derail key parts of the president-elect’s ambitious agenda.

Senator John Thune, the incoming Senate majority leader, is preparing to push forward with two of Trump’s top priorities—border security and energy production—while postponing a tax bill until later in 2025. However, this strategy has sparked frustration among senior House Republicans, who fear that delaying the tax issue could result in its ultimate failure.

There is also a push from some conservative members to combine all of Trump’s proposed reforms into one massive bill. However, many GOP critics warn that such a plan could collapse under its own complexity, particularly given the slim margins in the House, where even a single Republican defection could derail the entire package.

With one of the narrowest majorities in congressional history, Republicans face significant challenges in pushing through their agenda. Adding to the pressure, major deadlines loom, including the threat of a government shutdown as early as March and the possibility of a debt default later in the year. As inauguration day draws near, Republicans are growing anxious about how they will deliver on Trump’s promises under tough political conditions.

“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to accomplish a lot,” said Senator John Cornyn of Texas, a senior Republican who served as whip during Trump’s first term. “But I’m not sure everyone is on the same page.”

While many Senate Republicans believe passing a narrower border and energy bill would provide an early win for Trump, others, particularly in the House, worry that delaying the tax issue would squander momentum. Representative Jason Smith, chair of the Ways and Means Committee, stressed the importance of focusing on taxes early, warning that failure to act could lead to tax increases for everyday Americans.

Despite the GOP’s unified control of government, passing a tax bill could be a challenge. The Senate requires a 60-vote majority to overcome filibusters, but Republicans can use a budget process known as reconciliation to pass legislation with a simple majority. However, this process involves multiple votes and strict budgetary rules, making it difficult to achieve.

Some Republicans, like Senators Mike Rounds and Thom Tillis, support delaying the tax issue, arguing that a border-focused bill would be a more immediate and politically advantageous approach. Others, like Representative Andrew Clyde, insist that border security and tax policy should be included in the same package, despite the complications this could introduce.

As the debate continues, Speaker Mike Johnson, with the smallest House majority in history, will play a critical role in building consensus among the various factions of the GOP. However, Republicans will need to navigate these internal divisions if they are to avoid repeating the failures of Trump’s first term, when the repeal of the Affordable Care Act fell apart.

With challenges ahead, both sides of the GOP agree on the need to act swiftly—but it remains unclear which priorities will take precedence.