Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) expressed skepticism on Tuesday about including President Donald Trump’s request to raise the debt ceiling in the GOP’s latest budget bill. Thune noted that adding such a provision would complicate the already narrow path to passing the $95 billion framework, which includes defense spending and voter integrity initiatives. The bill is being advanced through budget reconciliation, a process that bypasses the Senate’s 60-vote filibuster threshold.
Debt Limit Concerns
Thune stated that the debt ceiling was not part of the House’s initial budget resolution and would introduce new uncertainties. He suggested addressing the debt limit after the November midterm elections, as the current borrowing limit is not expected to be reached until mid-2025. Trump has been lobbying Senate Republicans to prioritize his agenda before the August recess, including the House-approved SAVE America Act, which aims to impose stricter voting requirements.
SAVE Act Challenges
An internal memo from Senate Republican leadership urged lawmakers to downplay the chances of passing the SAVE America Act, citing insufficient support in the chamber. The memo advised senators to rebuff Trump’s calls to abolish the filibuster, emphasizing that the votes are not there to change Senate rules. Senate Republicans have previously voted multiple times on the bill without success, leading Thune to question the viability of further efforts.
Wall Street Journal Criticism
The Wall Street Journal editorial board criticized Trump’s push to eliminate the filibuster for the SAVE America Act, calling it a “terrible trade.” The board argued that abolishing the filibuster would empower Democrats to advance progressive priorities, such as Supreme Court expansion, while the SAVE Act is not a guaranteed political win for Republicans. Thune echoed these concerns, stating that the bill has already failed multiple times and that staying in session would not change the outcome.
White House Response
A White House spokesperson reaffirmed that the SAVE America Act remains a top priority for Trump, despite the resistance from Senate Republicans. The debate over the bill and the debt ceiling highlights the tensions between Trump’s agenda and the practical constraints faced by GOP leaders in the Senate.