Speaker of the House Mike Johnson publicly defended the Republican tax and budget policy bill this Sunday, dismissing criticisms from mega-billionaire Elon Musk and reinforcing his commitment to the working-class American agenda.
Johnson, a staunch ally of President Donald Trump, made it clear on ABC’s “This Week” that Musk’s recent comments would not sway the GOP’s legislative goals.
“I didn’t go out to craft a piece of legislation to please the richest man in the world,” Johnson stated emphatically, emphasizing that the focus was on supporting Americans trying to make ends meet.
His remarks came after Musk criticized the GOP’s bill, labeling it an “abomination” that would worsen U.S. debt and threaten economic stability.
Musk had also urged the public to contact their representatives to oppose the legislation, which has passed the House and is pending in the Senate.
The exchange has sparked tension between Musk and Trump, with the former president indicating he has no intention of mending his relationship with Musk.
In response to Musk’s threats to support opponents of Republicans backing the bill, Johnson downplayed the tech mogul’s influence, lamenting an absence of significant backlash from GOP members.
“We’ve got almost no calls to the offices of any Republican member of Congress,” Johnson remarked, suggesting that many constituents are taking a cautious stance on the legislation.
However, he also acknowledged that some people might be persuaded by Musk’s argument, stating that the majority recognize the legislative measure as an important step forward.
Johnson further claimed that Musk still admires the GOP policies, arguing that they are conducive to economic growth and human flourishing, which should align with Musk’s interests in innovation and job creation.
The speaker’s defense comes amidst ongoing criticism regarding the bill’s potential impact on national debt, projected at nearly $40 trillion.
Republicans, including budget chief Russell Vought, continue to contest findings from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) regarding the legislation’s projected costs.
According to the CBO, the bill would extend Trump-era tax cuts but also cut spending, potentially leading to an increase of 10.9 million uninsured individuals while spiking budget deficits by $2.4 trillion over the next decade.
Johnson countered these projections by touting traditional Republican beliefs that tax cuts and spending reductions spur economic growth, ultimately leading to decreased deficits.
He pointed out that annual deficits increased during the Reagan and Bush administrations, as well as during Trump’s first term, despite substantial tax cuts.
In a bid to diminish reliance on CBO’s estimates, Vought argued that the organization often uses “artificial baselines” that affect predictive accuracy.
The 2017 tax law’s expiration of lower rates, he explained, leads the CBO to estimate a return to higher taxes.
Vought acknowledged CBO’s rolling obligations but indicated that the office could conduct additional analyses favorable to GOP objectives if requested.
A notable contrast was evident as some Republicans treaded more cautiously amid the ongoing dispute between Trump and Musk.
Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin noted on CNN’s “State of the Union” that involvement in the conflict between the two billionaire businessmen was not advisable.
He likened their relationship to that of a married couple who, despite disagreements, remain focused on their shared goals.
“President Trump is a friend of mine, but I don’t need to get involved in disagreements between friends,” Mullin explained.
The senator expressed hope that, like any relationship, the focus would ultimately remain on what’s best for the American people, transcending personal disputes.
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