Press Briefing: White House Responds to Republican Concerns About Deficit Impact of the Big Beautiful Bill

Reporter: Caroline, Caitlyn, two questions for you. On the Big Beautiful Bill, you said recently that it is “blatantly wrong” to say that it adds to the deficit. You essentially stated that the estimates from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and other scorekeepers are wrong. But Republicans like Ron Johnson and Rand Paul disagree. They are saying it will add to the deficit. That is their concern. Is the White House’s position that those two Republican senators are “blatantly wrong?”

White House Spokesperson: Well, it’s no secret that those senators disagree with this president on a range of policies. The president has openly called them out for not having their facts straight, and it’s clear that they are not fully considering all of the details surrounding the Big Beautiful Bill. Let me be clear, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), though a respected institution, has historically been wrong in its assessments. For example, in 2017, the CBO predicted the impact of the Trump tax cuts would lead to a massive increase in the deficit. However, those tax cuts brought in nearly half a trillion dollars more in revenue than the CBO initially projected. So, as you can see, their track record of fiscal predictions is not flawless, and we are confident that their estimates on this bill are inaccurate as well.

Reporter: But Republicans are still concerned that it will add to the deficit.

White House Spokesperson: Yes, that’s true. But here’s something not many people know: There hasn’t been a single staffer at the CBO who has contributed to a Republican candidate’s campaign since the year 2000. On the other hand, many staffers at the CBO have consistently contributed to Democratic candidates every cycle since then. Unfortunately, this has created an environment where the CBO has become more partisan and political. That’s simply the reality we’re facing today.

Now, with that being said, we are very confident in our own economic analysis of this bill. Unlike the CBO’s projections, we believe in the real, long-term impact the Big Beautiful Bill will have on the economy. The bill actually carries $1.6 trillion in savings, and that’s something we stand by. We’ve also got Russ Fa, our Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), overseeing this process. Russ is known for his fiscal responsibility and for being a well-respected fiscal hawk in this city. He has all the tools at his disposal to ensure we can continue to make savings, and he’s been instrumental in shaping this bill.

Moreover, to reinforce our commitment to fiscal responsibility, the White House will be sending a rescissions package to Capitol Hill today. This package is designed to further improve our fiscal position and ensure that we continue to manage the budget responsibly.

Reporter: So, just to clarify, you’re saying that the Republican senators are wrong, and the White House’s analysis is more reliable?

White House Spokesperson: Yes, that’s absolutely correct. We stand by our own analysis, and we believe the Republican senators, particularly Senator Johnson and Senator Paul, are misinformed. We have the facts and independent economic assessments that show the savings this bill provides are real. We’re confident that in the long term, this bill will positively impact the economy, and we believe that the Republican senators are simply not seeing the full picture here.

Reporter: But some would argue that their concerns about the deficit are valid. After all, the CBO’s projections are used to make decisions, and it’s an institution that’s been around for decades. How do you respond to those concerns?

White House Spokesperson: It’s important to recognize that the CBO, while it serves an important role, is not infallible. Their projections have been wrong before, as I mentioned earlier with the Trump tax cuts. They’re an institution that relies on models and assumptions that don’t always account for the real-world impact of certain policies. We’ve seen that time and time again. We’ve done our own rigorous analysis in the White House, and our approach is grounded in the understanding that long-term investments will help the economy grow and reduce the deficit in the future.

Additionally, we have Russ Fa, a fiscal hawk, overseeing the financial aspects of this bill, and we are confident that the $1.6 trillion in savings will play a significant role in improving the federal budget and balancing the books. The $1.6 trillion in savings comes from real, substantive policy measures that we believe will generate long-term benefits for the American people.

Reporter: I understand that the White House is confident in its position, but with the CBO’s estimates and the concern from prominent Republicans, doesn’t that put you at odds with a significant portion of the legislative body? How do you plan to overcome that divide?

White House Spokesperson: We recognize that there is a divide, but we also know that the president’s economic policies are focused on ensuring fairness, opportunity, and long-term prosperity for all Americans. The president has a clear vision of what the future of this country can look like, and he’s been vocal about the importance of making strategic investments that will benefit the American economy in the long run. We’ve seen success in the past with policies that didn’t necessarily align with initial projections, and we’re confident that the Big Beautiful Bill will be no different.

The president is working with Congress to ensure that both sides understand the real impact of this bill. We’ll continue to have those conversations and make sure that everyone fully grasps the benefits this bill will bring to the country. While the Republican senators may disagree with the president’s vision, the president has always been committed to ensuring that all voices are heard and that the right course of action is taken for the American people.

Reporter: And what do you say to critics who believe that this bill will primarily benefit the wealthiest Americans or corporations? How does the administration respond to concerns about its impact on income inequality?

White House Spokesperson: The Big Beautiful Bill is about ensuring that all Americans benefit from the policies we’re implementing. The administration has made it clear that we are focused on policies that promote fairness, equality, and opportunity. This bill is designed to create jobs, stimulate economic growth, and improve the standard of living for middle-class Americans. It’s about investing in infrastructure, health care, and education, and ensuring that every American has the opportunity to thrive.

We’re committed to ensuring that the wealthiest Americans and corporations pay their fair share, which is why the president has proposed changes to tax laws that will ensure the rich contribute more to the national economy. This isn’t just about helping big corporations—it’s about creating a sustainable economy where everyone has the chance to succeed.

Reporter: Thank you for clarifying.

White House Spokesperson: You’re welcome. We’re confident that the Big Beautiful Bill will move forward and have a positive impact on the future of the American economy. As always, the president’s vision is rooted in fairness, growth, and opportunity for all Americans. Thank you.