Senator Rand Paul opposes $5T debt ceiling increase in Trump-backed bill, calling it fiscally irresponsible.

Fiscal Concerns Override Party Unity

Senator Rand Paul, R-Ky., reaffirmed his opposition on Monday to the $5 trillion debt ceiling increase included in President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” citing a fundamental conflict with conservative fiscal principles. Paul’s rejection comes despite recent discussions with the president aimed at addressing his concerns.

“We have never raised the debt ceiling without actually meeting that target,” Paul told reporters. “So you can say it doesn’t directly add to the debt, but if you increase the ceiling $5 trillion, you’ll meet that.”

Paul emphasized that such a move would defer serious debate about national debt for years. “It puts it off the back-burner. And then we won’t discuss it for a year or two,” he said. “So I think it’s a terrible idea to do this.”

According to Paul, his conversation with President Trump about the legislation was lengthy but one-sided. “Trump did most of the talking,” he remarked, adding, “I’ve told him I can’t support the bill if they’re together. If they were to separate out and take the debt ceiling off, I very much could consider the rest of the bill.”

Paul’s criticism extends beyond the debt ceiling. He highlighted the renewal of spending levels that originated under the Biden administration. “During the campaign, Republicans said they were against Bidennomics and Bidenflation and Biden spending. When March came, we renewed Biden’s spending levels,” he said. “So the spending levels we live under now are Biden-GOP spending levels.”

He warned that under current conditions, the federal deficit would hit $2.2 trillion by the end of the fiscal year. “They’re borrowing $5 trillion. That means they’re anticipating the following year being over $2 trillion as well. So it’s just not a conservative thing to do,” Paul added.

Trump Issues Direct Warning

President Trump responded over the weekend with a sharp warning to Paul on his Truth Social platform. “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,” he wrote.

Trump cautioned that such a vote would be seen as betrayal by his constituents. “Rand will be playing right into the hands of the Democrats, and the GREAT people of Kentucky will never forgive him!” he added. “The GROWTH we are experiencing, plus some cost-cutting later on, will solve ALL problems. America will be greater than ever before!”

The bill’s future remains uncertain. Senate Republicans are set to review the package next week, with proposed changes that may prove difficult for House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., to reconcile. Paul’s continued opposition signals potential turbulence ahead as fiscal conservatives weigh loyalty to the administration against long-standing economic principles.