Overview

• Sen. Rand Paul told President Trump he is "not an absolute no" on the House-approved budget reconciliation bill after their recent meeting.
• Paul has called for additional spending cuts, saying his vote hinges on deeper fiscal restraints.
• Paul insists on a separate, time-limited vote to raise the debt ceiling rather than bundling it with the reconciliation package.
• The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates the measure would increase the federal deficit by $2.4 trillion over 10 years.
• Republicans hold 53 Senate seats, meaning party leaders can lose only three votes to pass the bill through reconciliation.