As the Senate prepares to consider a massive GOP spending package, tensions are heating up in Washington.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt didn’t hold back on Monday when she slammed members of the president’s own party who are opposing what she calls a “big, beautiful bill.”
Her target? Kentucky Senator Rand Paul, one of the few Republicans standing against the plan.
Karoline Leavitt Warns of Huge Tax Hikes if Bill Fails
During an appearance on Fox News, Leavitt delivered a sharp warning to Senator Paul and others who might vote no.
She said that rejecting the bill would essentially mean a tax hike of over $4 trillion on everyday Americans.
According to Leavitt, Republican voters across the country — the ones who backed the president and the GOP majority — would be quick to hold those no votes accountable.
She framed the bill as a critical piece of legislation needed to get things done on Capitol Hill, implying that opposing it is out of step with what voters want.
Senator Rand Paul Pushes Back with Concerns About Spending and Debt
Rand Paul, who has served in the Senate since 2010, has been vocal in his opposition to the bill.
He made his case during several Sunday show appearances over recent weeks, including CBS’s Face the Nation and Fox News Sunday.
Paul’s main issue? The bill’s price tag and the way it ramps up spending in key areas.
He pointed out that the package includes about $320 billion in new spending, mostly aimed at the military and border security.
Paul Breaks Down the Numbers on Military and Border Spending
One of Paul’s sharpest criticisms focused on the bill’s border wall funding.
The bill allocates roughly $46.5 billion for the wall, but Paul says this figure is wildly inflated.
Using estimates from Customs and Border Protection, he said the actual cost to build 1,000 miles of wall should be around $6.5 billion, meaning the bill is asking for more than eight times that amount.
Paul also criticized the military budget, claiming the bill is essentially padding spending for the military-industrial complex, with much of the money going to increase military expenditures rather than cutting costs.
Debt and Deficit Worries Loom Large for Senator Paul
Beyond the spending specifics, Paul expressed deep concerns about the growing national debt.
He highlighted that the U.S. currently collects about $5 trillion in revenue but spends $7 trillion, leading to massive borrowing.
He called the deficit “the greatest threat to our national security” and warned that this bill would add trillions more to that debt.
He stressed that although he supports making tax cuts permanent and appreciates spending cuts, the ones in this bill are too small and the debt explosion is unacceptable.
What the Experts Say and Political Fallout
A recent analysis by the Congressional Budget Office estimated that the federal deficit could increase by $3.8 trillion because of tax changes tied to this bill.
This has only fueled opposition from senators like Paul who argue that Biden-era spending has gone too far.
Paul’s skepticism is echoed by many Americans and even some Republicans who are concerned about the long-term fiscal health of the country.
Kentucky’s Political Landscape and Upcoming Elections
Senator Paul is safe in his seat until 2028, but Kentucky’s other Senate seat is open for the 2026 midterms.
Mitch McConnell, the current senior senator and former Majority Leader, is retiring.
The dynamics of Kentucky politics, therefore, are shifting and the debate over big spending bills like this one could play a big role in upcoming races.
Final Words from Senator Paul
In his recent interviews, Paul summed up his position bluntly: the bill is too big, it spends too much, and it borrows far too heavily.
His office didn’t respond to requests for further comment, but his messaging remains clear — controlling the debt and protecting taxpayers must come before rushing through massive spending packages.