A group of fiscally conservative Republicans broke with President Donald Trump on Friday, voting against advancing a budget proposal loaded with tax cuts for most Americans, citing concerns that the plan is not adequately offset by spending reductions.
In a U.S. House Budget Committee vote, Republican Reps. Chip Roy (R-TX), Josh Brecheen (R-OK), Andrew Clyde (R-GA), Ralph Norman (R-SC), and Lloyd Smucker (R-PA) joined all Democrats in opposing the bill, resulting in a 21-16 vote against it. The outcome temporarily halts Speaker Mike Johnson’s (R-LA) efforts to move the legislation to the House floor for a full vote as early as next week.
The hardline Republicans defended their decision to oppose the bill, arguing that it would significantly increase the nation’s $36 trillion debt without adequately offsetting the cost of the four-year tax cuts. They warned that without corresponding reductions in government spending, the fiscal impact would be unsustainable. While GOP lawmakers have proposed cutting hundreds of millions from Medicaid, budget analysts note that those reductions fall far short of the long-term costs associated with the proposed tax relief package.
However, the dissenting Republicans signaled a willingness to stay in Washington, D.C., through the weekend to continue negotiations—an indication that they believe a deal is still possible. Following the vote, Committee Chair Jodey Arrington (R-TX) said he does not expect any further action to take place on Friday. “I do not anticipate us coming back today… go home,” he shouted over crosstalk in the hearing room.
Spanning a hefty 1,116 pages, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act has sparked division among Republican lawmakers over its spending priorities. Moderates such as Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) have been reluctant to support the measure, citing disappointment over the modest increase to the state and local tax (SALT) deduction—a key issue for the affluent suburban voters in his district.
Anti-war conservatives like Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN) have criticized the bill’s Pentagon earmarks, arguing they contradict the MAGA movement’s goal of scaling back U.S. involvement in expensive foreign entanglements.
The bill’s passage is shaping up to be a critical test of Speaker Mike Johnson’s leadership. Although he has weathered multiple disjointed efforts to remove him from the speakership while retaining President Trump’s support, Trump has also directed him to ensure the bill’s passage by a self-imposed Memorial Day deadline.
After passing the House, President Trump’s signature legislation now faces a more skeptical Senate, where several Republicans have expressed concerns about provisions in the House GOP’s version. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) has publicly stated she will oppose any effort to limit Medicaid access for low-income Alaskans.
Alongside other potential Republican holdouts—such as Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Rand Paul (R-KY), and Susan Collins (R-ME)—these defections leave Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) with a narrow path to passage, especially in the face of unified Democratic opposition. As a result, Thune may look to court moderate Democrats like Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA), who has increasingly distanced himself from his party since Trump returned to office and carried Pennsylvania.