During an interview on Thursday with News Nation, Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.) commented on the public spat between President Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk, suggesting it shouldn’t hinder Congress from advancing Trump’s extensive legislation known as the “big beautiful bill.”
Ogles described the situation as “two individuals with a big, beautiful brawl,” emphasizing that it isn’t about picking sides.
He acknowledged that while the bill is certainly large, he noted, “it’s not beautiful yet.” He expressed confidence that the Senate would refine it further. “That’s why we’re kicking it to the Senate; it’s part of the process,” he explained.
Furthermore, Ogles mentioned that he thinks there will be further discussions between the White House and senators regarding possible adjustments, aiming for a deadline of July 4th.
The tensions between Musk and Trump flared up on Thursday, largely stemming from Musk’s discontent with recent legislation. Trump, in response, labeled Musk as “crazy,” while Musk accused the president of being linked to accusations of serious misconduct involving financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Musk had previously suggested grounding SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft to transport astronauts but later seemed to reverse his stance.
The significant spending legislation, which passed in the House last month, has generated concerns among several GOP senators. Some lawmakers have voiced worries regarding cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Medicaid, while others are calling for deficit reductions and opposing increases to state and local tax (SALT) deductions.
With 53 GOP senators in the mix, they could potentially advance the bill even if all Democrats oppose it.
Ogles expressed hope that the Senate would modify the bill and noted that once passed, it could help extend the 2017 tax cuts to provide market stability. “Making the Trump tax cuts permanent is crucial. It signals to the market what to expect if you want to invest in your business,” he remarked. He also mentioned that more funding for border control and deportation is a priority.
He concluded by asserting that the bill should pass as long as it “maintains the integrity of what we did.”
