Politics
‘Complete and Total Disaster’: Republican Budget Faces Bipartisan Backlash
By Jake Beardslee · April 18, 2025
Jeffries Criticizes GOP Budget Bill Backing Tax Cuts, Border Spending
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has launched a scathing critique of the Republican budget bill, characterizing it as legislation that prioritizes wealthy donors over average Americans. The controversial budget blueprint, which passed by a narrow 216-214 margin, aims to advance President Donald Trump's agenda on tax cuts while increasing military and border security spending. Jack Gruber / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Jeffries: Budget Threatens Healthcare and Veterans Benefits
"These MAGA extremists are trying to jam a reckless budget down the throat of the American people. Take away health care from the American people. Strip away veterans benefits from the American people. And hurt nutritional assistance and literally take food out of the mouths of babies in America," Jeffries stated. Jack Gruber-USA TODAY
Democrats Blast Tax Breaks for Wealthy Donors
The Democratic leader further emphasized his criticism, saying, "Why? Because they want to pass massive tax breaks for their billionaire donors and puppet masters like Elon Musk. This is Republican policy in America, and it's a complete and total disaster." Jack Gruber-USA TODAY
Near-Unanimous GOP Support with Two Exceptions
Every House Republican voted for the bill except Representatives Victoria Spartz of Indiana and Thomas Massie of Kentucky. Kendall Hoopes / Pexels
Tariff Plan Under Democratic Scrutiny
Jeffries also took aim at the Trump administration's new tariff plans, which would apply custom tariffs on countries that impose higher tariffs on U.S. goods. According to Jeffries, these measures will increase costs for American families rather than reduce them as promised. Pixabay / Pexels
Jeffries: Tariffs Will Raise Costs for American Families
"Instead of costs going down, which Donald Trump promised would happen on day one of his presidency, costs aren't going down. They're going up. Inflation is going up. Donald Trump and Republicans are actually crashing the economy in real time," Jeffries said.He added, "They are intentionally inflicting pain on the American people. This Trump tax, these reckless tariffs will cost the American people thousands of dollars a year. It's the largest tax increase on the American people since 1968. This is what Donald Trump's presidency and Republicans in control of the House and the Senate are delivering to America, not lower costs." Jack Gruber-USA TODAY
Trump Defends Trade Policies
While President Trump has defended the tariffs as necessary to address trade imbalances, urging strength and patience, writing, "The United States has a chance to do something that should have been done DECADES AGO. Don't be Weak! Don't be Stupid! Don't be a PANICAN (A new party based on Weak and Stupid people!). Be Strong, Courageous, and Patient, and GREATNESS will be the result!" The White House / Wikimedia
GOP Faces Internal Division Over Budget
The budget proposal has also faced resistance from within the Republican Party itself. Three Republican representatives recently opposed a procedural vote, revealing cracks in party unity as leadership attempts to build consensus on their economic agenda. The Senate-approved plan has generated skepticism among House Republicans, particularly regarding its limited cuts to the federal deficit. Republican Party / Wikimedia
Rep. Burlison Warns of Opposition Within Party
Representative Eric Burlison (R-MO) expressed concern about internal opposition, saying, "I think that this town has got a lot of snakes in the grass who don't want to accomplish it, and anyway that they can they're going to stop it from happening. And I want to ensure we don't end up in a place where we let the president down in that regard." Gage Skidmore / Wikimedia