Despite personal efforts by Trump to bring hardline conservatives along on his omnibus bill, lawmakers remained divided on Tuesday.
Speaking with CNN, Rep. Thomas Massie — a persistent critic of the bill — laughed off the suggestion that it would not add to the deficit. He said even Republicans in favor of the legislation aren't mounting that defense.
"Over here, the people in favor of this bill say that under the policies of this bill, we're gonna add $2 trillion to debt over the next 10 years, which is $3.5 to $5 trillion more than would have been added otherwise. And that's just a fact. And that's under rosy assumptions."
Asked about the White House comment that the bill is deficit neutral, Massie said, "That's a joke."
In response, Trump repeated his statement that Massie should be voted out of Congress.
While the bill has yet to make it to his chamber, Sen. Rand Paul is expressing skepticism about the measure, which is meant to enact a variety of promises Trump made on the campaign trail.
Paul said he stands with the president on cutting taxes and shrinking government, but he called adding $5 trillion to the debt "DC sabotage," adding he wants to help Trump's agenda without "bankrupting the country."