Rand Paul pitches Elon Musk on plan to slash spending

• No decisions have been made, but there was some early, general support for the idea being pushed by Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) after the lunch.

An infamous deficit hawk, Paul pitched Elon Musk on a massive rescission package during a lunch on Wednesday, he told reporters. Such a package would undo federal funding already approved by Congress.

• The bill would also only require 51 votes to pass the Senate — no Democrats needed.
• Paul said specific numbers weren't discussed, but he'd like to see $500 billion.

Zoom in: Musk "was elated" at the idea, Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) told reporters. "I think he didn't realize it could be done at 51."

• "I do think there is a genuine appetite to continue this work within the legislative branch," Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) said after the lunch.
• Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said he backs Paul's plan.

Between the lines: President Trump has looked at ways to get around the 1974 Impoundment Control Act, which limits the president's power to withhold funds already appropriated by Congress.

• The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday ruled against Trump, requiring roughly $1.9 billion in foreign aid via USAID still be disbursed.

• "This Court does not look like it's warming towards the impoundment theory," Hawley said.
• It's not a good sign for other actions DOGE might want to take to cut spending without Congress.

Flashback: Republicans attempted to roll back $15 billion in government spending with a rescission package during the first Trump administration.

• But it failed due to "no" votes from Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Richard Burr (R-N.C.).
• Collins is now chair of the Senate appropriations committee, which plays a key role in the rescission process.