Today, after another all-night session that was full of drama with more than a dozen House conservatives holding out their votes, the House of Representatives passed the Senate version of the Big, Beautiful Bill.

This was high drama as both chambers resorted to all-night sessions that broke records. Finally, after much backroom discussions, Freedom Caucus members agreed to allow the bill to proceed for a final floor vote. The debate was finally over. The Big Bill will be signed by July 4th.

+ + Here's what didn't happen...

The political media was quick to note that the Freedom Caucus "caved." This from Politico: "In the end, of course, the [House Freedom Caucus] caved." Punchbowl News remarked, "The House Freedom Caucus caved once again."

I don't think it's that simple. It's too easy to say these conservatives stalwarts simply "caved."

In actuality, MAGA conservatives owe these Freedom Caucus members a debt of gratitude. It was primarily their efforts that exposed how the Big Bill actually INCREASES our nation's spending and debt crisis. Without their pushback, the modest Medicaid reforms would not have happened and there would have been zero public discussion of the fiscal embedded in the Big Bill. Without the fiscal hawks, the spending in the bill would have been far worse.

+ + This Was "Plan B" All Along....

The Freedom Caucus was in an impossible situation. The fiscal hawks did everything in their power to move the original House bill in the direct of fiscal sanity.  They secured a "deal" with Speaker Johnson that required a certain level of spending reductions to offset increases so the bill would be deficit-neutral. The Senate then blew up the agreed-upon framework and proceeded to add perhaps trillions more in spending while allowing a Barack Obama-era parliamentarian gut many of the most conservative sections.

The fact is, there are too many RINOs in Congress for even a GOP Congress to make significant progress on actually cutting government spending. I fear there will never be enough political will to actually cut spending.

At the end of the day, this is President Trump's time and President Trump's agenda. The President has enormous sway, not only in the Republican party, but in our culture and even in the world. The very slim margins in both chambers made it impossible for the President to pursue what one economic analyst called "Plan A" -- permanent tax cuts WITH massive cuts in government spending:

"Trump’s MAGA Plan A—bilateral deals, infrastructure, and spending restraint—ran into walls. The Fed won’t cut fast. Congress won’t cut at all. So we’ve entered Plan B: cheap energy, a weaker dollar, and fresh stimulus."

As Bank of America Chief Investment Strategist, Michael Hartnett, said:

“If Trump cannot do things the right way, then the temptation to do things the easy way to fight another day and the rationalizations that come along with it will begin. And that means bubbles. Weaker US dollar faster. Trade deals cut with sugar highs for us. Not meaningful long-term benefits. Mortgage the future for present in the election cycle mentality."

+ + Where from here?

So where do we go now? First, we celebrate the victories in the bill. Making President Trump's tax cuts permanent and enhancing border security were absolutely critical. The tax cuts on individual and businesses create a stable base for the economy to flourish. Plus, billions more in funding was needed to clean up Joe Biden's border mess, secure the border and deport millions of illegals who need to leave the country.

As for the spending and deficit crisis, President and GOP leaders are promising another "bite of the apple" later in the year.

We're not holding our breath.

The sad reality is, there simply is no political will to take on the Spending Monster.

In the short run, the economy will likely flourish and the stock market could reach new highs. But the long lens doesn't look so good. Someday soon, we (or our children or grandchildren) will have to pay. It's just not feasible to continue with $2+ trillion in annual deficits with the interest on the debt soon to reach $2 trillion annually.

So we will keep fighting for...

Life, Liberty and Limited Government,

Steve Elliott, Grassfire

P.S. Grassfire has stood on the wall and sounded the alarm day after day, urging patriots to let their voices be heard for spending sanity and real cuts. It's a lonely fight and we could use your help.

We are far below our budgeted need for this year. Would you consider helping Grassfire today? Even $30 or $50 would make a huge difference. Go here to help Grassfire.