Sen. Rand Paul, the Kentucky Republican known for his libertarian principles, is keeping the door open to supporting President Donald Trump’s ambitious “One Big Beautiful Bill.” In a candid interview on NBC’s “Meet The Press” with host Kristen Welker, Paul signaled he’s not entirely opposed to the legislation, stating, “I’m not an absolute ‘no.’” His potential support, however, comes with conditions, as he pushes for significant changes to align the bill with his fiscal priorities.
A Push for Fiscal Restraint
Paul has consistently voiced concerns about the nation’s ballooning debt, and his hesitation toward the bill stems from its provision to raise the debt ceiling by $5 trillion in the Senate version (the House version proposes $4 trillion). He argues that Congress needs tighter financial oversight, not a blank check. “Congress is awful with money, so you should give them a more restrictive credit line, not a more expansive one,” Paul stated. He advocates for raising the debt ceiling in smaller, three-month increments to keep lawmakers accountable and focused on addressing the national debt.
Despite his reservations, Paul sees promise in parts of the bill. He expressed enthusiasm for the tax cuts, including Trump’s signature “no tax on tips” provision and the permanence of the 2017 tax cuts. Paul believes these measures could boost revenue and help address the deficit, but he insists on deeper spending cuts to offset the debt ceiling increase.
“I’ve let [Trump] know that I’m not an absolute ‘no,’ I can be a ‘yes.’ I like the tax cuts… I think there should be more spending cuts, but if they want my vote they’ll have to negotiate, because I don’t want a vote to raise the debt ceiling $5 trillion,” he told Welker.
Tensions with Trump
The relationship between Paul and Trump has hit rocky patches, particularly over this legislation. Trump has publicly called out Paul’s opposition, warning that a vote against the bill would align the senator with “Radical Left Democrats” and lead to a “68% Tax Increase” and a potential default on U.S. debt.
“Rand will be playing right into the hands of the Democrats, and the GREAT people of Kentucky will never forgive him!” Trump posted on Truth Social, emphasizing that the bill’s economic growth potential and future cost-cutting measures would “solve ALL problems.”
The friction escalated when Paul claimed he was excluded from a White House picnic attended by other lawmakers, viewing it as retaliation for his stance. “The level of immaturity is beyond words,” Paul told reporters, calling the move “incredibly petty.”
Trump quickly countered on Truth Social, insisting Paul was “of course” invited and describing him as “the toughest vote in the history of the U.S. Senate.” Trump’s post framed the invitation as an opportunity to sway Paul’s vote: “It gives me more time to get his Vote on the Great, Big, Beautiful Bill, one of the greatest and most important pieces of legislation ever put before our Senators & Congressmen/women.”
Paul acknowledged efforts to mend their communication, noting that he and Trump are working toward a “better place” following their recent exchanges. Their conversation after a recent military parade suggests ongoing negotiations as Paul pushes for a separate vote on the debt ceiling provisions to secure his support.
A Stance Against Censure
Beyond the bill, Paul also weighed in on a separate controversy involving Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., who was handcuffed and removed from a press conference for DHS Secretary Kristi Noem after attempting to ask a question.
A Senator’s Balancing Act
Paul’s position reflects his commitment to fiscal conservatism while navigating political pressures from the White House. His willingness to negotiate with Trump shows pragmatism, but his insistence on spending cuts and a restructured debt ceiling approach emphasizes his dedication to principle.
As discussions continue, Paul’s vote could prove pivotal in shaping the fate of Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill,” a piece of legislation the president touts as key to making America “greater than ever before!”
