Compiled by Speakin’ Out News
Alabama’s Republican House members voted in favor of a federal budget plan endorsed by former President Donald Trump despite long-standing concerns among conservatives over rising national debt.
The nonbinding resolution narrowly passed the U.S. House Thursday with a 216-214 vote. It sets the stage for tax cuts, increased defense spending, and expanded border security—cornerstones of Trump’s “America First” agenda. The proposal could add nearly $6 trillion to the national deficit.
Among those backing the resolution were Rep. Barry Moore of Enterprise and Rep. Gary Palmer of Hoover, both members of the fiscally conservative House Freedom Caucus.
“The American people gave House Republicans a mandate to secure the border, restore energy independence, and make America wealthy again,” Moore said. He called the vote “an opportunity” to unite behind Trump’s platform.
Earlier in the week, Moore had expressed hesitation over differences in proposed spending cuts between the House and Senate—$1.5 trillion in cuts on the House side compared to just $4 billion in the Senate’s version.
Rep. Robert Aderholt, R-Haleyville, also praised the resolution, stating it would provide relief to rural families and small businesses in Alabama’s 4th District.
The resolution is a first step in a budget reconciliation process, allowing Republicans to pass major legislation—potentially including Trump’s full budget—without needing Democratic support in the Senate.
That package may include a permanent extension of the 2017 Trump-era tax cuts, set to expire this year. Analysts estimate extending those cuts could add $3.8 trillion to the deficit over the next decade.
Despite past criticism of deficit spending, GOP lawmakers offered no comment on the potential impact to the national debt. Palmer, who last year opposed a spending bill over deficit and immigration concerns, did not respond to requests for comment.
Palmer did post on X (formerly Twitter) in support of the SAVE Act, passed the same day, which would require proof of U.S. citizenship for voter registration.
Rep. Dale Strong, R-Huntsville, also supported the budget plan.
“Americans are counting on us to stop tax hikes while also cutting regulations and wasteful spending,” Strong said. “This is a step in the right direction.”
While most Republicans supported the measure, a few conservatives broke ranks. Reps. Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Victoria Spartz of Indiana voted against it. Spartz warned that the resolution could “set us up for the largest deficit increase in the history of our Republic.”
Political analysts say partisanship plays a key role in lawmakers’ shifting positions on deficit spending.
“When their party controls the White House, fiscal concerns often take a back seat,” said Casey Burgat, a legislative affairs expert at George Washington University.
Democrats Warn of Cuts to Social Safety Nets
Alabama’s two Democratic representatives, Shomari Figures of Mobile and Terri Sewell of Birmingham, voted against the resolution.
Figures warned that Republicans may slash critical programs like Medicaid and SNAP to fund tax breaks for the wealthy.
Sewell said the budget would “take food away from hungry families” and slash health care benefits in favor of tax breaks for billionaires.
“Under their proposal, billionaires like Elon Musk get rewarded while hardworking Alabama families get left behind,” Sewell said.
She estimated more than 176,000 Medicaid recipients in her 7th Congressional District could lose coverage under the GOP plan, including 121,745 children and 23,000 seniors.
Other projected cuts include Pell Grants, school lunch programs, and Affordable Care Act subsidies, which could see premium hikes as high as 66%.
