Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., has criticized the $5 trillion debt ceiling hike in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, calling it a deal-breaker for his conservative values and warning of potential fiscal irresponsibility. The senator, who has long championed fiscal restraint, warned that the bill’s massive debt increase contradicts Republican principles and threatens long-term economic stability. Paul expressed his concerns during a lengthy discussion with President Donald Trump, though he noted that Trump ‘did most of the talking.’
The debt limit increase, which is the largest ever proposed, would allow the government to borrow an additional $5 trillion, effectively ‘putting it off the back-burner’ for a year or two, according to Paul. He argued that while the increase may not immediately add to the debt, it sets a precedent for continued borrowing and undermines fiscal responsibility. ‘We have never raised the debt ceiling without actually meeting that target,’ Paul said, adding that the move risks further deficits and borrowing in the coming years.
Paul’s criticism comes amid ongoing Republican Party divisions over the bill, which has been championed by President Trump as a cornerstone of his economic agenda. While some lawmakers, including Speaker Mike Johnson, support the legislation, others, like Paul, argue that the spending levels and debt increase contradict the party’s principles. Paul noted that Congress has already agreed to continue spending at levels similar to those under President Biden, leading to projected deficits of $2.2 trillion by the end of the fiscal year.
Paul has also accused the party of ‘Biden-GOP spending levels’ and warned that the debt increase could lead to a ‘first time ever default on U.S. Debt,’ a claim he said would be made by Trump if Paul votes against the bill. Trump, on his Truth Social platform, warned that Paul’s opposition would ‘play right into the hands of the Democrats,’ risking the party’s chances of re-election in Kentucky. Paul, however, remains resolute in his stance, stating that he ‘cannot support the bill’ if it includes the debt ceiling hike. He suggested that if the Republican Party were to separate the debt ceiling from the rest of the bill, he might reconsider supporting the other provisions.
The debate over the One Big Beautiful Bill highlights growing tensions within the Republican Party over fiscal policy and the direction of the country’s economic strategy. As Senate Republicans prepare to review the bill, the outcome could have significant implications for both the party’s unity and the broader economic landscape. The potential financial impact of the legislation, including its effects on the debt ceiling and long-term borrowing, remains a key point of contention among lawmakers and policy analysts.