Detailed Summary of "Weekly Review With Clay and Buck H2 - WI Sen. Ron Johnson Blasts the Spending Bill"

Release Date: May 24, 2025
Podcast: The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show
Host/Authors: Clay Travis and Buck Sexton
Guest: Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin

Introduction

In this episode of The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show, hosts Clay Travis and Buck Sexton delve into pressing national issues, focusing primarily on the recent legislative developments surrounding the so-called "Big Beautiful Bill." The discussion features an in-depth interview with Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson, who voices strong opposition to the current spending bill, highlighting concerns over national debt and budgetary mismanagement.

Discussion with Senator Ron Johnson

Senator Johnson on Budget Mismanagement

Senator Ron Johnson kicks off the conversation by critiquing the labeling of the budget as the "Big Beautiful Bill." He emphasizes that the primary goal of any Republican budget reconciliation should be to curtail the deficit and reduce the national debt. However, he argues that the current bill fails to meet these objectives.

“The big beautiful bill, it's just mislabeled. I would think the number one goal of any of this Republican budget reconciliation would be to not increase the deficit. That'd be the first goal.”
— Senator Ron Johnson [02:38]

Unprecedented Spending Increases

Johnson outlines the alarming increase in federal spending from $4.4 trillion to over $7 trillion—a 58% surge over six years, excluding World War II comparisons. He likens the situation to a family continually borrowing to pay medical bills without addressing the root cause.

“We have a once in a lifetime opportunity to address this unprecedented level of increase in spending. And we're not doing it.”
— Senator Ron Johnson [04:15]

Issues with the Current Bill

Johnson criticizes the bill for embedding the Biden budget and COVID-related spending, arguing that it does not propose meaningful spending cuts. He points out flaws in Medicaid expansion under Obamacare, mentioning abuses at the state level and the inclusion of illegal immigrants in Medicaid funds.

“We're literally codifying what we all ran and said. We're going to repeal and replace Obamacare. We're not talking about Medicaid here.”
— Senator Ron Johnson [04:45]

Projections and Deficit Concerns

Referencing the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), Johnson warns that the current trajectory will swell the national debt from $37 trillion to an estimated $59 trillion in the next decade, with the "Big Beautiful Bill" potentially inflating it to $62-63 trillion.

“CBO says we'll be at 59. My guess, we probably increase that by about $4 trillion with the big new beautiful bill.”
— Senator Ron Johnson [05:40]

Proposed Solutions

Johnson advocates for a meticulous, line-by-line review of the federal budget to identify and eliminate wasteful spending. He suggests incremental budget reconciliations, allowing for continued adjustments and reductions rather than a one-time, oversized bill.

“You have to do the work. Passing a big beautiful bill by the end of this week. We haven't gone through the work.”
— Senator Ron Johnson [07:10]

Hosts' Analysis and Discussion

Disconnect Between Senate Republicans and Public Messaging

Buck Sexton questions the discrepancy between Senator Johnson's critical stance and the White House's supportive rhetoric towards the spending bill. He probes into how Republicans can praise the bill as a significant advancement while Johnson highlights its fiscal irresponsibility.

“Explain to me how that's possible?”
— Buck Sexton [09:18]

Impact of Budget Decisions on American Economy

Clay Travis further explores the long-term implications of sustained deficit spending, touching upon the national debt's growth and its effect on everyday Americans, including mortgage rates and interest on loans.

“The debt becomes a higher and higher part. Paying interest on the debt becomes a higher and higher part.”
— Clay Travis [11:07]

Senator Johnson's Response on Fiscal Responsibility

Johnson responds by differentiating between political rhetoric and economic reality, emphasizing the unsustainable nature of current spending trends and the necessity for concrete fiscal reforms.

“It's the difference between rhetoric and reality. So the reality is that the House says, oh, we're going to cut 1.5 trillion.”
— Senator Ron Johnson [09:18]

Interview with Jay Feely: From NFL to Congress

Introduction of Jay Feely

The hosts introduce Jay Feely, a former NFL kicker and current congressional candidate for Arizona's 5th district. Feely shares his transition from sports broadcasting to political aspirations, motivated by a desire to serve his country.

“I have been called, perhaps a better way of putting it, to put your hat in the ring to be a member of our illustrious Congress.”
— Buck Sexton [19:30]

Feely's Political Alignment and Support for MAGA

Feely discusses his longstanding support for President Trump and the MAGA movement, highlighting his alignment with conservative principles such as free markets, lower taxes, and limited government.

“I've supported President Trump for a long time, ever since he first ran for office.”
— Jay Feely [23:08]

Challenges in Sports and Politics

The conversation shifts to the cultural shift in sports regarding support for Trump. Feely attributes the change to increased honesty among individuals and dissatisfaction with the previous administration's handling of issues like COVID-19 and social policies.

“People have rejected that [transgender policies in sports].”
— Clay Travis [25:58]

Personal Anecdotes and Leadership Insights

Feely shares personal experiences from his NFL career, discussing the high-pressure nature of being a kicker and the importance of mental discipline, resilience, and leadership—qualities he intends to bring to his political role.

“You can't let your mind wander. You have to discipline it, to not allow it to wander.”
— Jay Feely [30:10]

Conclusion and Future Topics

The episode wraps up with Clay and Buck emphasizing the significance of Arizona's upcoming elections and the potential impact of candidates like Jay Feely. They briefly touch upon recent executive actions by President Trump aimed at reducing prescription drug costs and hint at future discussions on Biden's health issues, promising expert analysis in upcoming segments.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Senator Ron Johnson on Budget Mismanagement:
  “The big beautiful bill, it's just mislabeled. I would think the number one goal of any of this Republican budget reconciliation would be to not increase the deficit.”
  [02:38]

• Senator Ron Johnson on Unprecedented Spending:
  “We have a once in a lifetime opportunity to address this unprecedented level of increase in spending. And we're not doing it.”
  [04:15]

• Senator Ron Johnson on Medicaid Issues:
  “We're literally codifying what we all ran and said. We're going to repeal and replace Obamacare. We're not talking about Medicaid here.”
  [04:45]

• Senator Ron Johnson on National Debt Projections:
  “CBO says we'll be at 59. My guess, we probably increase that by about $4 trillion with the big new beautiful bill.”
  [05:40]

• Buck Sexton on Budget Rhetoric vs. Reality:
  “Explain to me how that's possible?”
  [09:18]

• Senator Ron Johnson on Rhetoric vs. Reality:
  “It’s the difference between rhetoric and reality. So the reality is that the House says, oh, we're going to cut 1.5 trillion.”
  [09:18]

• Jay Feely on Political Aspiration:
  “I have been called, perhaps a better way of putting it, to put your hat in the ring to be a member of our illustrious Congress.”
  [19:30]

• Jay Feely on Conservatism and Leadership:
  “You can't let your mind wander. You have to discipline it, to not allow it to wander.”
  [30:10]

Key Takeaways

• Fiscal Concerns: Senator Ron Johnson raises significant alarms about escalating federal spending and the national debt, criticizing the current legislative approach as inadequate and fiscally irresponsible.

• Call for Detailed Budget Review: Johnson advocates for a thorough, line-by-line examination of the federal budget to identify and eliminate wasteful expenditures, proposing incremental budget reconciliations as a sustainable solution.

• Political Dynamics: The discussion highlights a disconnect between Senate Republicans' public endorsements of the spending bill and internal critiques of its fiscal impact, underscoring the complexities within party dynamics.

• Emerging Political Figures: The interview with Jay Feely showcases the intersection of sports and politics, illustrating how personal discipline and leadership in sports can translate into political aspirations and advocacy for conservative values.

• Upcoming Topics: The hosts indicate forthcoming discussions on President Biden's health, featuring medical expert Dr. Nicole Sapphire, promising further analysis of critical current events.

This episode provides listeners with a comprehensive examination of the current spending bill's implications, insightful critiques from Senator Ron Johnson, and an engaging segment with a former NFL player transitioning into politics. The hosts effectively balance policy analysis with personal narratives, offering a multifaceted perspective on America's fiscal and political landscape.