But it’s dying a slow and lingering death, and predictions it will expire this year to facilitate the passage of Donald Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill should be taken with a grain if not a shaker of salt.

WASHINGTON—Elon Musk gave new fuel to GOP critics of the Republicans’ multitrillion-dollar tax and spending agenda, saying that the current measure failed to reduce the federal deficit, echoing complaints from hard-line factions in both the House and the Senate.