Fiscal hawk Paul pleads for Republican resistance to Trump tax bill: ‘Emperor has no clothes’

Published May 25, 2025 12:07pm ET



Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) spoke out against President Donald Trump‘s $4 trillion “big beautiful bill” now sitting before lawmakers in the upper chamber, arguing the budget legislation is fiscally irresponsible. 

The Senate is considering Trump’s signature tax cuts bill after the House passed the legislation 215-214 on Thursday. The bill also faced some opposition from fiscal hawks in the lower chamber, although House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) was able to assuage some of their concerns with concessions on Medicaid work requirements. 

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