Senator Ron Johnson, a Republican from Wisconsin, made a bold statement on Sunday during his Fox News appearance: he’ll be voting against President-elect Donald Trump’s plan to eliminate the federal debt ceiling.
So, what does this mean for Trump’s plan and why should we care?
Why the Debt Ceiling is a Big Deal
The debt ceiling is a limit on how much money the federal government can borrow. Congress often has to raise or suspend this limit to avoid the country defaulting on its debts. This issue has sparked debates for years.
Back in December, Trump suggested eliminating the debt ceiling altogether. It’s a move that challenges traditional budgeting rules and aligns with some recent Democratic proposals. However, this is a tough sell for many Republicans, especially since they have only a slim majority in Congress. Any division could make it harder for Trump to push his agenda forward as he prepares to take office later this month.
Johnson Weighs In: Why He’s Opposed
During a recent interview with Maria Bartiromo on Fox News, Johnson, a long-time Trump ally, was asked if he would support the president-elect’s plan to raise or eliminate the debt ceiling as part of a bill that would also fund border security—a key promise of Trump’s.
Johnson didn’t mince words: “We absolutely need a debt ceiling limit. There’s no control over out-of-control government spending without it,” he said. He also stressed that any debt limit increase should come with reasonable spending cuts to balance things out.
The Impact on Trump’s Agenda
Trump’s spending package to suspend the debt ceiling for two years was recently shot down in the House, with 38 Republicans joining Democrats to vote it down. This package was supposed to prevent a government shutdown that could have disrupted the holidays. In the end, Speaker Mike Johnson (no relation) struggled to find a compromise that would satisfy both conservatives and Democrats.
Adding fuel to the fire, Elon Musk, a close ally of Trump, criticized the bipartisan plan, urging lawmakers to reject it on social media.
In the end, the continuing resolution passed, avoiding a shutdown—but it didn’t include Trump’s demand to raise the debt ceiling.
What the Experts Are Saying
Trump has long argued that the debt ceiling is “psychological” and isn’t a real threat, calling it “meaningless” or potentially catastrophic. Some Democrats, like Senator Elizabeth Warren, agree with him, stating that Congress should never again “govern by hostage taking” when it comes to the debt limit.
However, Republicans like Senator Rand Paul and others disagree, with some calling an unlimited debt ceiling increase a dangerous move for fiscal responsibility.
Economist Brian Riedl pointed out the hypocrisy of some Republicans, who railed against debt hikes during Biden’s presidency but have supported Trump’s spending plans without proper offsets.
What’s Next?
While Republicans hold control of Congress, it’s unclear whether they will vote on the debt ceiling before Trump officially takes office on January 20.
One thing is for sure: this is far from over, and it’s going to be a bumpy road as Trump takes office with significant divisions still in place. Stay tuned!
