Rand Paul threatens Senate reconciliation bill over "fake pay-for"

• The House is mired in debate over how deep they should cut spending as part of a budget reconciliation package touching on border, defense and taxes.
• The Senate is moving on its taxes-free plan this week.

Zoom in: Paul said the Senate package is expected to include $150 billion in new spending on the military and $175 billion for border security.

• Paul doesn't buy the idea of helping pay for the cost by getting rid of Biden's student loan forgiveness plan.
• "The courts have already said that's not happening. It has never taken place," Paul said. "So to get rid of something that's never going to happen is, to me and many others, a fake pay-for."

Between the lines: Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) can afford to lose up to three votes on the bill, so he doesn't necessarily need Paul's vote.

• Paul says others could feel the same. "I don't think I'm the only one. There are other people in the caucus saying it has to be a real pay-for."
• A "no" from Paul would be a bad sign for passage through the House, where the majority is tiny and several members have prioritized significant cuts for any spending legislation.