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The Senate approved Sen. Lindsey Graham’s budget resolution early Friday following an extensive overnight voting session.
The measure passed with a 52-48 vote, largely along party lines. The sole Republican dissenter was Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, who joined the unified Democratic opposition, expressing worries about the budget framework’s fiscal implications.
During his Thursday floor speech, Paul remarked, “If you follow the news, you’ve been seeing reports of Elon Musk and DOGE and getting rid of waste and fraud and abuse by the billions, if not trillions, of dollars. And yet, we are meeting here today because Congress, namely the Senate, wants to increase federal spending.”
Voted no on the Graham Budget tonight because the unstated purpose is to increase spending by $342 billion. https://t.co/6S0G3famyb
— Rand Paul (@RandPaul) February 19, 2025
The $340 billion budget outline presented by Graham represents the initial phase of the Senate’s dual-step reconciliation strategy. The proposal allocates funding for military and border security measures, with tax policy to be addressed in subsequent legislation.
While acknowledging that a single comprehensive bill would be preferable, Graham defended his two-part approach as a necessary immediate solution to the ongoing border situation.
“This budget resolution is a complete game-changer when it comes to securing our border and making our military more lethal,” Graham stated Friday. “It will allow President Trump to fulfill the promises he made to the American people — a very big deal.”
Despite the Senate’s progress on reconciliation, President Trump has expressed his support for House Speaker Mike Johnson’s more comprehensive proposal. Trump acknowledged both chambers’ efforts to implement his agenda but indicated his preference for a single bill encompassing all his policy priorities.
Senate GOP proposes $340 billion budget plan with funding for border wall construction and expanded deportation efforts.
Follow: @AFpost pic.twitter.com/9fuNFCtmf5
— AF Post (@AFpost) February 8, 2025
“The House and Senate are doing a SPECTACULAR job of working together as one unified, and unbeatable, TEAM, however, unlike the Lindsey Graham version of the very important Legislation currently being discussed, the House Resolution implements my FULL America First Agenda, EVERYTHING, not just parts of it!” Trump declared.
The House members won’t return to Washington to vote on their reconciliation measure until the following week, despite Trump’s endorsement.
Graham reiterated his support for a unified approach while defending his two-bill strategy as a timely solution for border security concerns.
“I hope the House can pass one big bill that meets President Trump’s priorities,” Graham noted. “But this approach provides money that we needed yesterday to continue the momentum on securing our border, enforcing our immigration laws, and rebuilding our military. Time is of the essence.”
