WASHINGTON — The Senate began its budgeting process after waiting several weeks for the House to move forward with its process. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) is spearheading the effort, and he's promising others on the committee it isn't a waste of their time.
"Are you guys just doing a fruitless exercise today?" Raw Story asked Graham at the Capitol on Wednesday.
"I think we're doing a productive exercise!" Graham told Raw Story before hopping in an elevator.
But Democrats didn't seem to be on the same page — nor was Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY).
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“I’m concerned with the budget on our side that’s being proposed, and then I don’t think the numbers are real,” Paul told reporters. "I can’t vote for the budget if it’s not real."
"An $800 billion discrepancy, if I don't get a good explanation for that, I can't vote for the legislation," Paul added. "It's just fiction, then."
Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) told Raw Story, "This is starting to feel like a fruitless exercise. I wouldn't be surprised if they don't even get the majority of the Republican votes."
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) agreed.
"I didn't think they're gonna be able to make this work," Warren said. "House Republicans want to cut services that everyday Americans use, so they can give big tax breaks to billionaires. They've got it exactly upside down."
She also released a statement adding, "Republicans are pulling a fast one on working people by reaching into their pockets to pay for billionaire handouts. Make no mistake: this GOP plan will raise the cost that American families pay for groceries, health care, and getting an education - all to fund tax cuts for the ultra-rich."
Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-PA) told MSNBC on Wednesday afternoon that if Republicans can't pass their own bill, they'll be responsible for shutting down the government.
Politico reported that two of the lawmakers on the House Budget Committee want a commitment of $500 billion in spending cuts or new revenue (taxes).
Elon Musk was brought in as a special government employee to cut $2 trillion from government spending.
"Well, let's be clear right now, Republicans have a majority in the House, a majority in the Senate, and they have the White House," said Boyle. "So, if there is a full government shutdown, it will be because Republicans want to fully shut down the government tomorrow in the budget committee."
"I expect that every single Democrat will vote it down," Boyle said of the GOP budget bill. "And if we get a few other Republicans to join us, then it will stop there."