Does the proposed 2025 budget do what’s best for the US?
H.Con.Res. 14 sets the U.S. federal budget for 2025 and projects budgetary levels through 2034, replacing prior resolutions. It increases defense spending from $888 billion in 2025 to $1.1 trillion by 2034, boosts veterans' benefits, and expands Medicare from $950 billion to $1.67 trillion. However, it includes major cuts to energy programs (dropping from $50 billion to $27 billion) and government-wide savings reaching -$460 billion by 2034. Deficits remain high, with net interest payments on debt rising from $1 trillion to $1.69 trillion. The resolution enforces budget discipline, reallocates funds to national security and entitlements, and promotes spending cuts and deregulation. Sponsor: Jodey Arrington (Republican, Texas, District 19)
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Opponents say
• "A number of proposals that Congress could consider this year or President Trump might try to impose through executive actions would make key government services less efficient or degrade customer service, contrary to the Department of Government Efficiency’s stated goal of “maximiz[ing] governmental efficiency and productivity.” These proposals would reduce access to everything from school lunches to IRS tax assistance. Also, President Trump’s abrupt firing of inspectors general from 17 federal agencies raises serious questions about his Administration’s commitment to improving government efficiency. [...] Instead of adding complexity and red tape, Congress should make it easier for eligible people to access health coverage as well as school meals, food assistance through SNAP, and economic security supports. Congress also should strengthen efforts to improve customer service across government, including by adequately funding the IRS and SSA." Source: Center of Budget and Policy Priorities
• "In a party line vote, the Republican-controlled House Budget Committee advanced their budget resolution to move forward legislation that would give tax cuts to the wealthy and partially pay for them by taking health care and food away from people who face challenges affording these essential needs. The House Republicans’ budget resolution calls for committees to enact $2 trillion in deeply harmful cuts through 2034 in programs and services for families and communities, including cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, and student loans. The resolution also authorizes the Ways and Means Committee to increase the deficit by $4.5 trillion over the same time period — this is the “instruction” that allows the committee to craft legislation cutting taxes by this amount. [...] Lawmakers should reject this upside-down approach. Instead of extending and expanding costly tax breaks for those who least need help, Congress should create a fair federal tax system that raises more revenues from wealthy people and corporations and supports high-value investments that expand opportunity and promote shared prosperity." Source: Samantha Jacoby, the Deputy Director of Federal Tax Policy at the Center of Budget and Policy Priorities
Proponents say
• "Congress should cut spending beyond these modest proposals. But for 2025, these targeted spending cuts, paired with pro-growth tax reform, will put downward pressure on inflation and follow through on Trump’s election promise to streamline the government. Cutting federal spending is not bad politics, as some people may assume. That was the lesson President Reagan learned from his 49-state landslide victory in 1984 after cutting sensitive programs such as Social Security, Medicare, welfare, and food stamps. Similarly, virtually all the most vigorous spending cutters in the new Republican Congress in the mid-1990s were re-elected in 1996. A far larger political risk for the Republicans is if they don’t cut spending and deficits, and inflation spikes again over the next two years. Tackling these low-hanging spending reforms will allow the longer-term DOGE project to focus on deeper structural inefficiencies in the federal bureaucracy. A good example is the inefficiency and fraud in the annual federal procurement budget of more than $750 billion." Source: Article by CATO
• "House GOP leaders say the best chance of getting legislation passed with their razor-thin majority — with various factions demanding different concessions — is to tackle Trump's agenda in one large bill covering border funding and taxes together. On Wednesday, Trump posted on social media that the House resolution "implements my FULL America First Agenda, EVERYTHING, not just parts of it!" – "We need both Chambers to pass the House Budget to 'kickstart' the Reconciliation process, and move all of our priorities to the concept of, "ONE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL," he added. Trump's statement goes further than his prior remarks, where he indicated support for the House's approach but said he cared less about the process as long as the results got done." Source: Statements by President Trump, as reported by NPR
