The Voice News: House Speaker Mike Johnson is urging Senate Republicans to limit changes to the recently passed megabill, warning that major modifications could derail the delicate compromise that allowed it to pass the House.
“I encourage them to do their work, of course,” Johnson told CNN’s Jake Tapper on State of the Union. “But they should make as few changes as possible. We’ll need to pass it again in the House, and we have a very fragile balance right now. It’s best not to disrupt it.”
Passing the megabill through the House was a significant challenge for Johnson and GOP leadership. It took intense negotiations and even a visit from former President Donald Trump to secure enough support. Johnson suggested that passing it a second time—with Senate revisions—might be impossible.
Despite Johnson’s caution, some Republican senators are already proposing changes. Senators Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) and Rand Paul (R-Ky.) argue the bill doesn’t go far enough in cutting federal spending. Ron Johnson called for $6 trillion in reductions, saying the spending cuts could go unnoticed by the public but would have a major fiscal impact. Paul warned the bill could increase the national debt by as much as $5 trillion.
“The math doesn’t add up,” Paul said on Fox News Sunday, criticizing both the House and Senate versions of the bill for contributing to debt growth.
Johnson emphasized the challenge of managing a slim GOP majority in the House, with only 220 Republicans and the need for 217 votes to pass legislation.
“We’ve done as much as possible within our limits,” he said. “Now, we need to stay focused on what can realistically be achieved.”
