Senate Majority Leader John Thune said on Thursday, July 30th, 2026, that he would “love” for spending cuts to be included in future negotiations over raising the debt ceiling. Thune told the Daily Caller News Foundation that he wanted spending cuts to be part of any deal if the debt ceiling is raised.

Thune also indicated that the debt ceiling would need to be raised in early 2027, though it remains unclear whether this would occur in the first or second quarter, according to Punchbowl News.

The debt ceiling was last raised by $5 trillion under the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act, which was signed into law on July 4, 2025, as reported by the Committee for a Responsible Budget.

Meanwhile, White House budget director Russ Vought met with Senate Republicans on Wednesday, July 29th, urging them to focus the third reconciliation bill on the Safeguard America Voter Eligibility (SAVE) America Act, defense spending, and farm aid.

The House’s version of the budget resolution would cost $95 billion, including $72 billion to address the Iran war and $12 billion to aid struggling farmers. Senator Scott emphasized on July 15th that any reconciliation bill should be paid for and aim to reduce the deficit.

Thune’s office declined to comment on how strongly Senate Republican leadership would push for spending cuts as part of a debt ceiling deal.

Sources