“My Loyalty is to the American People”: Johnson Challenges Trump on Megabill

Senator Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) is publicly challenging President Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” declaring his “loyalty is to the American people” and expressing deep concerns about mortgaging their future with increased debt. His stance signals significant internal Republican opposition to the House-passed legislation.
The bill, which seeks to cut taxes, increase border and military spending, and scale back Medicaid, is moving to the Senate under the reconciliation process, allowing for a simple majority vote. However, Johnson’s firm opposition, coupled with that of Senator Rand Paul, creates a substantial hurdle for the Republican leadership.
Johnson’s primary concern revolves around the bill’s projected impact on the national debt, which the CBO estimates will rise by $3.8 trillion over a decade due to the tax provisions. He advocates for a return to pre-pandemic spending levels and even proposes splitting the bill into two separate pieces of legislation.
Beyond the deficit, the controversial Medicaid cuts are also drawing scrutiny. The Byrd Rule further adds to the uncertainty, as non-budgetary provisions, such as those related to AI regulations or gun control, could be stripped from the bill, fundamentally altering its scope and requiring it to return to the House for final approval.