For decades, the Republican Party has marketed itself as the nation’s fiscal conscience when it comes to curbing spending and safeguarding future generations from crushing debt. The branding is so effective that many Democrats tacitly concede the point, while Republican voters cling to the belief their party holds the line on excess.

A closer look reveals spending habits rivaling, or exceeding, Democrats’. Republican lawmakers campaign on slashing spending, only to greenlight massive expenditures once in power.

Eventually, we must confront the Republican elephant in the room: Effective rhetoric is not the same as consistent governance. If Republicans are the party of limited government and tight budgets, why do their fiscal principles evaporate once they control the purse strings?

Across recent decades, federal spending has continued to climb under Republican control. This isn’t occasional — it’s a pattern repeated every election cycle.

Recently, the passage of the so-called “big beautiful bill” has drawn the scorn of Republican fiscal hardliners. Despite promises to cut spending and tighten the budget, this budget package increased funding across key areas.

Republicans defend it with........

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