Staff Reports
Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin is once again taking the bull by the horns on government spending, urging President-elect Donald Trump and Congress to get their heads out of the sand and look at the shocking figures behind their fiscal policies. With Republicans like House Speaker Mike Johnson from Louisiana excited about a big-ticket bill to bring Trump’s agenda to life while cutting down on spending, not everyone is singing the same tune. Senator Lindsey Graham from South Carolina has raised an eyebrow at the prospect of pushing such a sizable proposal through the legislative process, hinting at concerns about the bill reaching Trump’s desk.
During a recent discussion, Senator Johnson pointed out the inherent complexities of the spending debate, noting his personal preference for a “two-step process.” He suggested a strategy that prioritizes securing funds for border protection while collaborating to mitigate the hefty tax increase looming on the horizon in 2026. This prudent approach seems to resonate with concerned taxpayers who are tired of seeing their hard-earned money get squandered in a sea of bureaucracy.
Johnson didn’t hold back in his assessment of how much the U.S. government overspends. He threw down the gauntlet, highlighting that government expenditures skyrocketed from $4.4 trillion in 2019 to an eye-popping projected $7.3 trillion by 2025, under President Biden’s watch. This jaw-dropping 63% increase seems utterly unjustifiable, especially with population growth barely creeping forward at a meager 2.2%. The senator likened government spending habits to an unhealthy family member who continues to splurge on medical expenses despite a full recovery. Logic doesn’t seem to apply when it comes to federal budgets.
In light of recent congressional recesses, Johnson took the time to scrutinize the numbers further, advocating for returning to a pre-pandemic spending baseline. His calculations suggest that, based on population growth and inflation, the government ought to be operating at an annual spending level closer to $5.5 trillion. Instead, it appears Congress is happy to feed the beast, dragging the country deeper into fiscal treachery without a second thought about the consequences.
When the question of whether he would support raising or removing the debt ceiling came up, Johnson firmly stood his ground. He thinks it is imperative—not optional—to maintain the debt limit as a means of keeping runaway spending in check. While he acknowledged that negotiations may come into play when discussing an increase, his position is unequivocal: the debt ceiling is crucial to restoring financial sanity in Washington. As the Republican-controlled Congress gears up for an ambitious agenda, including dismantling the so-called “deep state” and revamping the economy, one wonders how they plan to walk the tightrope of fiscal responsibility amid their lofty aspirations.
With the specter of Trump’s inauguration approaching, several Republicans have voiced their desire to expedite the confirmation of his national security nominees, especially following a recent terror attack in New Orleans. Senator John Thune from South Dakota, the soon-to-be majority leader in the Senate, highlighted this event as a glaring reminder of the urgency to secure Trump’s picks promptly. It appears the GOP is prepared to hit the ground running, but only time will tell if they can reign in the spending while tackling these immediate national security challenges head-on.
