Sen. Rand Paul warns against raising the debt ceiling, saying the GOP would be responsible for ballooning U.S. debt.

Paul Draws Line Over Debt Ceiling

Senator Rand Paul, R-Ky., announced Sunday that he would support President Donald Trump’s sweeping legislative proposal — referred to as the “big, beautiful bill” — only if it excludes a planned increase in the federal debt ceiling.

Speaking on CBS’ “Face the Nation,” Paul said he and three other Senate Republicans are prepared to block the bill unless the borrowing cap is removed. “I think there are four of us at this point, and I would be very surprised if the bill at least is not modified in a good direction,” he stated.

Paul emphasized his support for making Trump-era tax cuts permanent, but drew a firm line at expanding federal borrowing. “I want the tax cuts to be permanent. But at the same time, I don't wanna raise the debt ceiling five trillion,” he said. “The GOP will own the debt once they vote for this.”

Trump Warns of Political Fallout

President Trump fired back at Paul’s position in a Truth Social post on Saturday, warning that a vote against the bill would aid Democrats and risk a national financial crisis. “If Senator Rand Paul votes against our Great, Big, Beautiful Bill, he is voting for, along with the Radical Left Democrats, a 68% Tax Increase and, perhaps even more importantly, a first time ever default on U.S. Debt,” Trump wrote.

He added, “Rand will be playing right into the hands of the Democrats, and the GREAT people of Kentucky will never forgive him! The GROWTH we are experiencing, plus some cost cutting later on, will solve ALL problems. America will be greater than ever before!”

The president’s message reflects increasing urgency as Republican lawmakers race to finalize the legislation by early July. The bill encompasses a broad range of Trump’s key policy goals, including major initiatives on taxes, immigration, energy, defense, and fiscal reform.

Republican leadership faces mounting pressure to reconcile differences within the party, particularly with the Senate now set to review the package. Senate Republicans are expected to propose changes that could strain negotiations with House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., who has a slim margin for defections and can only afford to lose three GOP votes.

Despite the internal dissent, the GOP is attempting to present a united front in support of Trump’s policy agenda, while balancing concerns over fiscal responsibility. As Paul and others push for alterations, the outcome could determine whether the bill advances or stalls amid intraparty divisions.

The coming week will be pivotal as Republican senators meet to refine the bill and negotiate compromises that may appease both fiscal conservatives and party leadership, with the broader goal of delivering a legislative win ahead of the July deadline.