During a Tuesday visit to Capitol Hill, U.S. President Donald Trump urged divided Republican lawmakers to "stop fighting and get it done," pressing them to approve his sweeping domestic policy bill that hinges on major spending cuts.
The party is split over key provisions. Supporters say reducing federal outlays could help curb the national deficit, while opponents warn deep cuts to social programs and agency budgets may alienate core constituencies.
By the numbers:
- Cut scale: Hundreds of billions of dollars in proposed reductions across social services, education, and research grants.
- Lawmakers divided: Roughly half of Senate Republicans and a growing faction in the House have voiced concerns.
- Deadline: The fiscal year end deadline to avoid a government shutdown is weeks away.
Trump framed the bill as a test of Republican unity, warning that failure to pass the measure would signal weakness. "Stop fighting and get it done," he said, urging lawmakers to move swiftly.
Political analysts note that the outcome will hinge on how negotiators balance fiscal discipline with the need to maintain support among the party’s base. Closed-door sessions are scheduled this week as negotiators try to reconcile competing demands.
Global markets are watching closely. U.S. Treasury yields dipped on expectations of lower borrowing requirements, while equities held steady as investors weighed the bill’s prospects. Tech startups and research institutions, which rely on federal grants, will be particularly attentive to any cuts in R&D funding.
As the deadline looms, the question remains: Will the GOP unite behind Trump’s vision for a leaner federal budget, or will internal divisions stall one of the administration’s signature policy efforts?
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
