Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), a fiscal hawk who has openly criticized House Republicans' reconciliation bill, predicted Sunday that there are enough in his flock to stop the process "until the president gets serious about spending reduction and reducing the deficit."
Senate Republicans say they’re going to rewrite the 1,116-page bill the House narrowly passed Thursday to enact President Trump’s agenda. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) urged GOP senators at a meeting Tuesday to keep their changes to the bill as minimal as possible to avoid wrecking the delicate compromises he cobbled together in the House to muster 215 votes for the legislation.
“So, we’re out of time, but I’m just wondering if you could just give me a number, how many other Republican senators do you think share your concerns and are willing to work to make major changes to this bill?” Tapper asked. “I think we have enough to stop the process until the president gets serious about spending reduction and reducing the deficit,” Johnson responded.