Elon Musk, center left, operating with a directive from President Donald Trump to slash government spending, walks with Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., right, as he arrives to meet with Republican senators, at the Capitol, in Washington, Wednesday, March 5, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
DENVER (AP) — For decades, conservatives in Congress have talked about the need to cut government deeply, but they have always pulled back from mandating specific reductions, fearful of voter backlash.
