- Trump’s bill claims $1.6 trillion in mandatory spending cuts, mainly targeting Medicaid and food aid.
- DOGE’s budget remains untouched due to Senate rules limiting cuts to mandatory spending only.
- Supreme Court froze DOGE transparency order amid dispute over its federal agency status.
The White House insists President Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” will reduce the federal deficit by $1.6 trillion. Officials argue the legislation includes historic cuts to mandatory spending, particularly targeting Medicaid and food assistance programs, positioning it as a cornerstone of Trump’s economic vision and a symbol of fiscal discipline.
Trump’s Deputy Chief of Staff, Steve Miller defended the proposal, stating that critics misinterpret the impact of the bill. He clarified that it does not touch discretionary spending due to reconciliation constraints. Therefore, claims that it fails to implement DOGE-related budget reductions overlook Senate rules governing what the bill is allowed to modify.
Miller challenged assertions made by the Congressional Budget Office, which projects a $3.3 trillion deficit increase. He claimed their calculations are skewed by the assumption that 2017 tax cuts will expire. According to Miller, the administration always viewed those cuts as permanent, and extending them should not count against the deficit.
Trump’s Legislation Limits DOGE Budget Cuts
Critics also argue that the bill includes trillions in hidden spending, but Miller called these claims baseless. He noted that the bill excludes most government operations, such as education and grants, which are handled in annual budgets. The only funding included supports Trump’s border and defense goals.
Miller labeled the bill “a remarkable achievement,” emphasizing its $1.6 trillion in mandatory cuts as the largest welfare reform effort in U.S. history. He reiterated that the legislation never intended to target DOGE spending, which is categorized as discretionary and, therefore, off-limits to reconciliation procedures.
He added that because the Senate restricts reconciliation bills to mandatory categories, DOGE’s budget couldn’t legally be slashed through this legislation. Despite that, Miller insisted the bill’s scope still makes it a landmark achievement, both in reducing federal spending and promoting accountability in welfare programs.
Court Freezes DOGE Transparency
Meanwhile, controversy intensified when the Supreme Court temporarily freeze a lower court order requiring the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to release internal records. Chief Justice John Roberts issued a stay in response to a lawsuit filed by watchdog group CREW, challenging DOGE’s transparency.
The case centers on whether DOGE qualifies as a federal agency subject to Freedom of Information Act requirements. The Trump administration maintains it is merely a presidential advisory body. However, a district judge ruled DOGE likely functions as an agency and ordered record preservation and rolling disclosure.
CREW’s lawsuit follows DOGE’s transformation into the “U.S. DOGE Service,” replacing the U.S. Digital Service. The Office of Management and Budget confirmed it holds over 100,000 documents, while DOGE holds 58,000, fueling a fierce dispute over government transparency and accountability.
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