Trump lashed out against Tillis on his social media platform and to the press and threatened to field primary challengers. Tillis announced on Saturday that he would not seek reelection. Paul, a staunch advocate for keeping spending and the debt ceiling in check, posted on X that he wanted the bill to include a 90% reduction in the ceiling.

Senators Susan Collins of Maine, Rand Paul of Kentucky and Thom Tillis of North Carolina defied the president on his signature measure.