Latest news with #budgetlegislation
News.com.au
04-07-2025
- Politics
- News.com.au
‘I have more power': Donald Trump flexes after huge win in Congress
A law that will have sweeping effects across the United States. And about as clear an expression of Donald Trump's political power as we have ever seen. Today America's House of Representatives passed Mr Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill', the gargantuan piece of budget legislation that contains much of the President's domestic agenda. That includes the extension of tax cuts, funding for immigration enforcement measures, and cuts to Medicaid, the government program that provides health insurance for low-income Americans. It contains other stuff as well – the thing is almost a thousand pages long, after all – but those are the headline elements. Merits of the bill aside, its passage through Congress today is indisputably a political flex. While Mr Trump's Republican Party controls both the House and the Senate, in the former chamber, its majority is precipitously narrow. And enough Republican members of Congress to scupper the legislation had expressed firm opposition to it, mostly citing its projected multi-trillion dollar cost to America's already bloated federal debt. Yet after days of bickering, and grandstanding, and presumably the odd twisting of an arm behind the scenes, almost all of those members ultimately voted for it anyway. A mere two of them remained immovable in their opposition. 'Rarely have so many members of Congress voted for a measure they so actively disliked,' veteran political journalist Susan Glasser noted in The New Yorker afterwards. Speaking to the media a short time afterwards, Mr Trump was in a jubilant mood. 'You met with a lot of House Republicans yesterday. What got them to yes?' a reporter asked him on the tarmac. 'I think when you go over the bill, it was very easy to get them to a yes,' Mr Trump replied. 'Biggest tax cut in history. Great for security. Great on the southern border. Immigration is covered. We covered just about everything. It's the biggest bill ever signed of its kind.' To be clear, though, the concerns of recalcitrant Republicans were never really addressed. The bill's ballooning effect on America's deficit remains. The worries about political consequences from kicking millions of constituents off Medicaid remains. What happened here, and why it is such a demonstration of power from the President, is: a bunch of Republicans said the bill was unacceptable, Mr Trump did nothing to mollify them, and then they voted yes. In Australian terms, his argument was, 'Yeah nah, the bill is pretty good though mate.' And it worked! 'I think I have more power now. I do,' Trump said when asked about the contrast with his first term in office. That included some legislative wins, including the tax cuts that are now being extended. But Congress did defy Mr Trump on, for example, his effort to repeal the signature healthcare law of his predecessor, Barack Obama. 'You know, I could say, 'Oh gee, I don't know.' I think I probably do, because we have had the greatest record of success. 'We've proven certain things, and yeah, I think probably it's got more gravitas, more power.' Later in his exchange with the press, Trump discussed the bill's signing on Friday, US time. 'So we're signing at about five o'clock, and at about five o'clock, we're going to have B-2s and F-22s and F-35s flying right over the White House,' he said. 'And the Speaker and I and (Republican Senate Majority Leader) John Thune, we are all there together with most Republican senators and congressmen and women. 'And it's going to be a great day. So we'll be signing with those beautiful planes flying right over our heads, all right?' That puts the signing ceremony at about 7am AEST, should you wish to rouse yourself from bed on a Saturday morning to witness it. I should give you some examples of the backflipping here. Some illustrative remarks from the Republicans who crapped on the bill, then promptly turned around and voted for it. The two who did not engage in such impressive gymnastics are Congressman Thomas Massie of Kentucky, who was worried about the national debt, and Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, who didn't like the cuts to health spending. As for the rest, we have a litany of statements contradicted by subsequent actions. Congressman Keith Self, of Texas, said Speaker Mike Johnson and the others lobbying on Mr Trump's behalf were shoving a 'broken bill down our throats'. Mr Self called it 'morally and fiscally bankrupt'. He voted yes. Congressman Ralph Norman, of South Carolina, said it would 'mortgage our future'. Mr Norman voted yes. Congressman Andy Harris, of Maryland, called it 'not ready for prime time'. Yes. California Congressman David Valadao was among 15 Republicans who signed a letter stressing they 'could not support a final bill' that threatened people's access to healthcare. He, and all 14 other signatories, voted yes. Indiana Congresswoman Victoria Spartz said the bill violated 'the minimum fiscal framework, signed by over 30 Republicans, by roughly half a trillion dollars'. Voted yes. 'If the Senate tries to jam the House with this version (of the bill), I won't vote 'present'. I'll vote NO,' said Marlyand Congressman Andy Harris. He voted yes. Congressman Andrew Clyde, of Georgia, called the national debt a serious threat to 'the security, prosperity, and future of our country', vowing to 'fight until the very end'. A few hours later, he voted yes. Over in the Senate, Missouri's Josh Hawley called the legislation's cuts to health insurance 'morally wrong'. He voted yes. Senator Mike Lee, of Utah, warned that 'the deficit will eat us alive'. He voted yes. Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski, the most consistently anti-Trump voice left in her caucus, said the bill was 'not good enough for the rest of our nation', and expressed her hope that it would be amended by the House after being passed by the Senate. She voted yes. And had she gone the other way, the bill would have died. Nothing above includes those Republicans who fumed over the chaotic process, such as Georgia Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, who called it a 's***show'. To overcome all those objections from his own side of politics, without conceding anything? Quite the success for any politician. One last, telling example: Senator Thom Tillis, of North Carolina, who stood by his opposition to the bill's $US700 billion in Medicaid cuts and voted against it. When Mr Tillis announced his decision, Mr Trump promptly threatened to end his political career. The Senator instead chose to quit, abruptly saying he would not seek re-election. 'The choice is between spending another six years navigating the political theatre and partisan gridlock in Washington, or spending that time with the love of my life Susan, our two children, three beautiful grandchildren, and the rest of our extended family,' he said. ''It's not a hard choice, and I will not be seeking re-election.'
Telegraph
01-07-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Trump's ‘big, beautiful bill' passes Senate after Vance casts deciding vote
Donald Trump's 'big, beautiful bill' has narrowly passed through the Senate after vice president JD Vance cast the deciding vote. The bill, a huge package of tax cuts and budget legislation, passed the upper chamber with no Democratic votes. Republicans Rand Paul, Susan Collins and Thom Tillis voted against the bill. Mr Vance was drafted in at the 11th hour to cast the tie-breaking vote, after hours of gruelling voting. The bill will now head back to the House of Representatives, who will review changes made to the legislation by Senators. Apprehension from Republicans Republican leaders had struggled to corral support during the record 24-hour 'vote-a-rama' amendment session on the Senate floor. In the House, Mr Trump's bill faces unified Democratic opposition and apprehension from Republicans with its proposed cuts to healthcare and food aid programs for poor Americans. The 'Big Beautiful Bill,' which is currently the subject of the latest tiff between the president and his former 'first buddy' Elon Musk proposes a $4.5 trillion extension of his first term tax cuts. The bill is controversial because it offsets the cuts with $1.2 trillion in savings, mainly targeting the Medicaid health insurance program. If it becomes law, it will strip coverage from an estimated 12 million low-income and disabled Americans. The bill is also unpopular because it rolls back billions of dollars in green energy tax credits. It also proposes providing a $350 billion cash injection for border security amid Mr Trump's mass migrant deportation program. The president made clear that the goal remains to get the bill through the House in the coming days and sign it into law by Friday, July 4, which is the American Independence Day holiday. 'It's going to get in, it's going to pass, and we're going to be very happy,' he told reporters as he arrived in Florida to view new migrant detention facilities.
The Independent
11-06-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Trump opens door to forgiving Musk after Epstein accusations: ‘I have no hard feelings'
President Donald Trump said he's open to forgiving Elon Musk after their public spat last week over his 'Big Beautiful Bill.' Trump revealed he has 'no hard feelings' towards Musk in a Monday appearance on the podcast Pod Force One with Miranda Devine. Instead, Trump said he was 'surprised' and 'not a happy camper' after Musk slammed his sweeping budget legislation and claimed the president's name appeared in the so-called 'Epstein Files.' Musk went on later to apologize for the online feud. When asked if he could forgive Musk, Trump responded, 'I guess I could.' 'I was really surprised that that happened,' Trump said. 'He went after a bill that's phenomenal…I think he feels very badly that he said that actually.' 'I was disappointed in him, but it is what it is,' he added. Trump added that he is focused now on 'straighten[ing] out the country' and his 'sole function now is getting this country back to a level higher than it's ever been.' Musk said he 'regretted' what he said about the president in a post on X hours before the interview aired. 'I regret some of my posts about President @realDonaldTrump last week,' the billionaire wrote. 'They went too far.' The feud began on June 3, when Musk attacked the 'Big Beautiful Bill,' Trump's sweeping budget legislation. The bill includes no tax on tips or overtime, no tax on social security and higher restrictions on Medicaid. 'I'm sorry, but I just can't stand it anymore,' Musk wrote. 'This massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination. Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong. You know it.' Trump expressed his disappointment in Musk shortly afterward: 'Elon and I had a great relationship. I don't know if we will anymore.' Musk said the bill will 'increase the deficit to $2.5 trillion' and argued that Trump would have lost the election without his support. The president then claimed Musk is opposed to the bill because it ends the electric vehicle incentives, which could harm Tesla. Less than an hour later, Musk dropped a bombshell allegation. 'Files linked to the investigation of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein have emerged as a point of fixation for Trump and his allies and right-wing media figures,' Musk wrote on X. 'Time to drop the really big bomb: Donald Trump is in the Epstein files,' he added. 'That is the real reason they have not been made public.' Jeffrey Epstein, a sex offender who orchestrated a massive child sex trafficking ring with his associates, died by suicide in 2019 while in custody on federal sex trafficking charges. He was associated with dozens of celebrities and powerful politicians, bringing international interest to the case. After his death, interest mounted over redacted court documents naming his alleged associates and victims. These documents are known as the 'Epstein files.' Attorney General Pam Bondi moved to release some of these documents in February in what she labeled the 'first phase' of declassified files — but much of the information was already public. Critics say the administration hasn't released enough and must move to declassify more information. Throughout this public battle, Trump called confidants and acquaintances to discuss the falling out. During one of these calls, he alleged that Musk's behavior could be explained by illicit drug use, according to a report by The Washington Post.
Times of Oman
06-06-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
Trump-Musk feud gets nastier
Washington, DC: The public breakdown between US President Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk grew exponentially more bitter on Thursday, transforming what was once a powerful political alliance into a vicious war of words that has wiped billions from Tesla's market value and threatens to derail the president's flagship budget legislation. The feud reached its peak when Musk made explosive allegations about Trump's connection to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, marking a dramatic escalation in their increasingly personal conflict. The fued between the two men got nastier, less than a week after Musk officially left his position spearheading the quasi-official Department of Government Efficiency. The latest round of hostilities erupted during an Oval Office meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, when Trump was asked about Musk's criticism of his signature budget legislation. "Elon and I had a great relationship. I don't know if we will any more," Trump told reporters, his disappointment evident. The president expressed his frustration more directly, saying: "I'm very disappointed in Elon. He knew every aspect of this bill. He knew it better than almost anybody, and he never had a problem until right after he left." Trump continued his criticism, adding: "He said the most beautiful things about me, and he hasn't said bad about me personally, but I'm sure that'll be next, but I'm very disappointed in Elon. I've helped Elon a lot." Musk's response on X was swift and defiant, flatly contradicting the president's account. "False, this bill was never shown to me even once and was passed in the dead of night so fast that almost no one in Congress could even read it!" he wrote, before escalating the personal attack by claiming that without him Trump would have "lost the election" and bemoaning what he called "such ingratitude". But Thursday brought a far more acrimonious and personal tone to the exchanges when Musk launched his most damaging attack yet. In a jaw-dropping social media post, Musk alleged that Trump's name "is in the Epstein files. That is the real reason they have not been made public." The tech billionaire amplified his attack by reminding his 220 million followers of Trump's quote about Epstein from a New York magazine profile more than two decades ago: "He's a lot of fun to be with. It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side." Musk concluded his post with a gleeful taunt: "Have a nice day, DJT!" and suggested marking the post "for the future. The truth will come out." The exchange rapidly devolved into a series of increasingly serious threats. Trump responded by threatening to terminate Musk's lucrative government subsidies and contracts, prompting the SpaceX boss to counter with his own nuclear option: potentially decommissioning the Dragon spacecraft that had recently rescued astronauts stranded on the International Space Station for months. The threat could throw US space programmes into chaos, highlighting how deeply intertwined Musk's business empire has become with critical government operations. As the feud intensified, Musk crossed into unprecedented territory by suggesting Trump should be impeached and that JD Vance should replace him as president. Right-wing influencer Ian Miles Cheong, who has 1.2 million followers on X, posted that "my money's on Elon" in the battle between Musk and Trump, asserting that "Trump should be impeached and JD Vance should replace him." Less than 30 minutes later, Musk reposted Cheong's message, adding simply: "Yes." Musk also warned that Trump's global tariffs would "cause a recession in the second half of this year" and launched an online poll asking whether a new political party should be formed, moves that are certain to enrage the president. Tesla shares plummeted more than 14 per cent on Thursday alone, erasing approximately USD 152 billion from the company's value and reducing it to roughly USD 900 billion. The decline knocked USD 8.73 billion off Musk's personal net worth according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, demonstrating how quickly political feuds can translate into economic consequences. Trump also took to his social media platform Truth Social to fire fresh salvo against Musk. In a post on Truth Social, he stated, "I don't mind Elon turning against me, but he should have done so months ago. This is one of the Greatest Bills ever presented to Congress. It's a Record Cut in Expenses, USD 1.6 Trillion Dollars, and the Biggest Tax Cut ever given. If this Bill doesn't pass, there will be a 68 per cent Tax Increase, and things far worse than that. I didn't create this mess, I'm just here to FIX IT. This puts our Country on a Path of Greatness. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN." Trump stated that he told Musk to leave and took away his Electric Vehicle (EV) Mandate that forced everyone to purchase electric cars. "Elon was "wearing thin," I asked him to leave, I took away his EV Mandate that forced everyone to buy Electric Cars that nobody else wanted (that he knew for months I was going to do!), and he just went CRAZY," he posted on Truth Social. In response to Trump post, Elon Musk on X wrote, "Such an obvious lie. So sad." He made this statement in response to a post shared by a user named Autism Capital on X. The user had shares screenshot of Trump's post and mentioned, "Trump fires back at Elon. The online battle begins." Trump even threatened to terminate Elon Musk's governmental subsidies and contracts. "The easiest way to save money in our Budget, Billions and Billions of Dollars, is to terminate Elon's Governmental Subsidies and Contracts. I was always surprised that Biden didn't do it," Trump posted on Truth Social. Elon Musk also reposted the post shared by a social media user Kaizen D Asiedu on X. In response to Trump's statement on the "big beautiful bill", Aseidu stated, "What a waste of time by our President. Rather than making this about Elon, he should simply make clear: 1. The conditions under which this bill will reduce the deficit. 2. How he will create those conditions. He was elected to lead, not fight with citizens." Trump, in his earlier remarks, had blamed Musk's public displeasure on legislative proposals that would strip away tax incentives to buy electric vehicles. Musk vehemently denies this is the reason for his break with Trump, but the president's propensity to seek vengeance on those who cross him makes it very plausible that Musk's companies will have a target on their backs. The conflict threatens to derail Trump's centerpiece legislation, which he calls the "big, beautiful bill". Musk has trained his fire not just on Trump but also on Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, resurfacing past comments where they lamented the dangers of letting government spending spiral out of control. In characteristically fiery style, Musk contended in one Thursday afternoon post that "Congress is spending America into bankruptcy!" The budget bill in its current form is projected to add USD 2.4 trillion to the deficit over 10 years, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.
