Governor Ron DeSantis unleashed a blistering attack on House Republicans, declaring their failure to codify Elon Musk’s DOGE cuts a “betrayal of the voters” as Senate conservatives prepare to battle the One Big Beautiful Bill Act’s massive debt increases.
Key Takeaways
- Ron DeSantis has criticized House Republicans for failing to include any of Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) cuts in the recently passed budget bill, calling it a “betrayal of voters.”
- The One Big Beautiful Bill Act passed the House with $1.5 trillion in cuts to Medicaid and social programs over a decade, but faces significant resistance from fiscal conservatives in the Senate who worry about its $3.8 trillion addition to the deficit.
- Senators Rand Paul and Ron Johnson are leading opposition to the bill, with Johnson calling continued deficit spending “immoral” and “wrong.”
- Elon Musk, who invested heavily in Trump’s campaign and DOGE initiative, is now stepping back from politics after facing significant backlash that has affected his businesses.
- Some Republicans suggest using a “rescissions package” that could bypass the Senate filibuster to implement DOGE cuts.
DeSantis Blasts House Republicans Over DOGE Betrayal
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has publicly criticized House Republicans for failing to include any cuts recommended by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in the recent budget legislation. DeSantis highlighted how Musk endured significant personal and professional attacks while leading DOGE’s efforts to identify government waste. The governor expressed disappointment that despite DOGE’s work to find potential savings, Congress has effectively sidelined these recommendations in favor of continued bloated spending.
“Elon Musk took massive incoming hits — including attacks on his companies as well as personal smears — to lead the effort on @DOGE. He became public enemy #1 of legacy media around the world. To see Republicans in Congress cast aside any meaningful spending reductions (and, in fact, fully fund things like USAID) is demoralizing and represents a betrayal of the voters who elected them,” said Ron DeSantis, Governor of Florida.
Senate Conservatives Prepare for Budget Battle
As the One Big Beautiful Bill Act moves to the Senate after narrowly passing the House, a significant showdown is brewing among conservative senators concerned about fiscal responsibility. Senate Majority Leader John Thune faces the challenging task of navigating the bill through intense opposition from fiscal hawks like Senators Rand Paul and Ron Johnson, who have expressed grave concerns about the bill’s impact on the federal deficit, which would increase by approximately $3.8 trillion over the next decade despite including $1.5 trillion in cuts to programs like Medicaid and food stamps.
“It’s immoral. It’s wrong. It has to stop. This is our moment. We’ve witnessed an unprecedented level of increased spending,” said Senator Ron Johnson.
The bill reflects President Trump’s priorities, including increased border security funding, extension of his 2017 tax cuts, and boosted military spending. However, the deficit implications have created a rift within the Republican party. Even the typically unified House Freedom Caucus showed cracks in its support, with Representative Andy Harris voting “present” and two other members opposing the legislation outright. This internal division highlights the ongoing tension between implementing Trump’s agenda and maintaining fiscal conservatism.
Musk Steps Back as DOGE Cuts Sidelined
Elon Musk, who was instrumental in President Trump’s successful 2024 campaign and personally spent $250 million to support it, has indicated he will significantly reduce his political involvement moving forward. The billionaire entrepreneur has faced substantial backlash for his role in DOGE, including protests at Tesla dealerships and a concerning drop in Tesla’s stock price. DOGE itself claims to have identified over $175 billion in potential taxpayer savings, though third-party monitors have disputed this figure.
“I think in terms of political spending, I’m going to do a lot less in the future,” said Elon Musk.
Some Republican lawmakers are now suggesting alternative methods to implement DOGE’s recommendations, including a “rescissions package” that could bypass the Senate filibuster and reclaim unused appropriated funds. This strategy would potentially allow for budget cuts without requiring a supermajority in the Senate, offering a procedural workaround to enact at least some of the DOGE initiatives that have been popular with voters, with polling indicating 73% of Americans support government waste reduction efforts.
Medicaid Changes Concern Rural-State Republicans
Beyond the broader fiscal concerns, a specific aspect of the bill causing tension within Republican ranks involves changes to Medicaid funding. The legislation would limit state provider taxes that many rural hospitals rely on for financial stability. Several Republican senators from rural states have expressed worries about how these changes might impact healthcare facilities in their constituencies, potentially forcing closures or service reductions in areas already struggling with healthcare access issues.
“Everybody is falling in lockstep on this. ‘Pass the big beautiful bill. Don’t question anything.’ Well, conservatives do need to stand up … if we don’t stand up on it, I really fear the direction the country is going,” said Senator Rand Paul.
The bill also imposes new work requirements and eligibility verification processes for Medicaid recipients, potentially affecting millions of beneficiaries. While these changes align with conservative principles of personal responsibility and program integrity, the combined impact on healthcare infrastructure in rural America has created an unexpected obstacle to the bill’s passage. Senator Ron Johnson has suggested breaking up the legislation to focus on areas of bipartisan agreement rather than pushing through the comprehensive package.
