Trump’s Executive Orders and Congressional Challenges

President Donald Trump has made waves with a series of executive orders during the initial phase of his second term. However, Congress has been somewhat slow to follow suit.

In the early months of his presidency, only five bills made their way to Trump’s desk for his signature. In the meantime, Louisiana Republican Speaker Mike Johnson has been at the center of Capitol Hill discussions surrounding his “Big Beautiful Building” initiative, which aims to codify the Magazine Mandate.

This initiative reflects in several aspects of the proposed legislation. However, Vice President JD Vance acknowledged that Congress must take further steps to formalize Doge cuts and manage expenditures more effectively.

“We have to do that and we need to take it seriously,” Vance emphasized.

During an appearance on the “Glen Beck Program” last week, he noted that a substantial bill was on the way. “Things are set to change significantly moving forward. We’re already engaging with House leadership eager to implement crucial measures for reducing our spending,” Vance explained.

Trump also supports this perspective, believing that addressing the trade deficit and increasing revenue through tariffs could create a more sustainable fiscal environment. Yet, Vance pointed out that it’s impossible to achieve that without making cuts to domestic spending.

The U.S. national debt has escalated to over $36 trillion. While some Republicans express a desire to rein in spending, Johnson’s proposed bill could potentially add about $3.3 trillion to the deficit by fiscal 2034.

Vance reiterated, “We must address this seriously. We’re conveying this urgency to Congressional leaders. If we finally get a package from the House or Senate, it may lead to significant budget reductions.”

Moreover, Vance noted that one effective way to tackle the national debt is by eliminating unnecessary spending and addressing fraudulent profits.

He pointed to the importance of scrutinizing entities that misuse the social safety net. “Consider the contrast between someone who has legitimately paid into Social Security for decades versus illegal immigrants exploiting Medicaid. It’s clear we need to prioritize support for those who truly deserve it,” he added.

As for Medicaid reforms, they have sparked considerable debate. The current bill includes amendments to strengthen labor requirements aimed at protecting those who have suffered due to fraudulent practices within the Medicaid system. However, some Republicans are skeptical; they believe changes may not take effect until 2029, potentially after Trump has left office.

Vance argued, “It’s essential that we prevent scams against Medicare and Medicaid, or we risk bankrupting the country. That would be fundamentally unfair.”