In a dramatic power move, Senate Republicans have handed Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) the exclusive right to decide whether Donald Trump’s massive new spending and tax bill follows federal budget laws. This decision effectively blocks Democrats from challenging the bill’s legality.
Senator Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), who was presiding over the Senate, ruled that the chair of the Senate Budget Committee—Graham—has “sole authority” to determine if any part of the 940-page “One Big, Beautiful Bill Act” breaks the 1974 Congressional Budget Act or other budget rules.
Hagerty declared that “the presiding chair must rely on determinations made by the Budget Committee” when judging the bill’s budget impact. Since Graham leads that committee, his word is final. Unless Graham says a budget rule is broken, no objections will be allowed.
This ruling sharply limits Democrats, who are the minority, and sparked swift backlash.
Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), the top Democrat on the Budget Committee, immediately challenged the ruling. He cited a letter from the Congressional Budget Office director warning that parts of the bill would increase the federal deficit by $3.5 trillion over the next decade and add to debt beyond that.
Merkley said, “The ability of the chair to create a phony baseline has never been used in reconciliation, not ever.” He added, “This breaks a 51-year tradition of the Senate for honest numbers.”
Despite the objections, the Senate voted along party lines to uphold Hagerty’s ruling, 53-47, giving Graham full control over whether budget rules apply to the bill.
Graham defended his authority by citing Section 312 of the Congressional Budget Act.
The Senate continues debating dozens of amendments to the GOP tax and spending package, with a final vote expected Monday night.
For now, Lindsey Graham stands alone as the gatekeeper deciding if Trump’s megabill meets the law — shutting out Democrats and any outside budget challenges.
