While there is plenty for fiscal conservatives to celebrate thus far in President Donald Trump’s second term, some of his supporters are concerned that efforts like those of the Department of Government Efficiency could be short-lived if a future president decides to abandon them.
That’s why Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) has developed a strategy he said will safeguard these budget cuts and waste-fighting measures against threats from a future administration.
As Breitbart reported:
“We need to do what’s called a rescission package, meaning get rid of the spending right now. None of the spending has really been eliminated, so they’re finding the waste, they’re talking about it, and it’s the same thing I’ve been doing for a decade, but it has to be sent back,” Paul began, explaining that the administration should “bundle it all together.”
“When it comes back to Congress, it can be passed with a simple majority, Republicans only because we won’t get any Democrats. But then once we pass a bill getting rid of that spending, then the savings actually occurs,” he said.
“Then the money goes back to the Treasury and [is] not spent. Right now, when they find waste, it’s still being spent. They’re temporary, delaying it or stopping it, but it hasn’t come back to the Treasury and won’t come back unless Congress votes on it. We can do this, but not enough people are talking about it,” he continued, contrasting this with impoundment, which he said will lead to countless legal battles.
Paul, a longtime proponent of stripped-down federal budgets, has been among the most enthusiastic supporters of DOGE’s mission:
.@RandPaul on why he opposes an amendment to handcuff @DOGE:
"This is an amendment that attacks people who are looking to save our money and spend it on legitimate diplomacy, not crazy, loony, leftwing ideas." pic.twitter.com/qGZec00NKz
— Rand Paul Review (@RandPaulReview) February 21, 2025
The Senate is voting on my amendment to cut spending by at least $1.5 trillion.
We voted for fiscal responsibility when we elected @realDonaldTrump and the Senate should vote for it now!
— Rand Paul (@RandPaul) February 21, 2025
Reminds me of what I did to the tax code…fond memories. Get it done @elonmusk! https://t.co/z2c0x3TgVT pic.twitter.com/vKbr1msiSk
— Rand Paul (@RandPaul) February 21, 2025
The fiscal policies of the Trump administration were apparently a big part of Paul’s decision to issue a belated endorsement, as Fox News reported:
“A few people may have noticed that I resisted an enthusiastic endorsement of Donald Trump during the election. But now, I’m amazed by the Trump cabinet (many of whom I would have picked). I love his message to the Ukrainian warmongers, and along with his DOGE initiative shows I was wrong to withhold my endorsement,” Paul declared in the tweet.
“So today, admittedly a little tardy, I give Donald Trump my enthusiastic endorsement! (Too little too late some will say, but, you know, it is sincere, there is that.),” he added. “Don’t expect this endorsement to be fawning. I still think tariffs are a terrible idea, but Dios Mio, what courage, what tenacity. Go @realDonaldTrump Go!”
The senator enthusiastically supported Trump’s choice to tap former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard as director of national intelligence and former independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. as secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.
Here’s what Paul had to say about DOGE’s potential during a Fox News Channel interview in December:
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