President Donald Trump’s flagship legislation, branded his “big, beautiful bill,” failed to pass the House Budget Committee on Friday. A group of Republican fiscal hawks joined Democrats in blocking the bill, dealing a major setback to House GOP leaders.
Reps. Chip Roy (TX), Josh Brecheen (OK), Andrew Clyde (GA), and Ralph Norman (SC) all voted against the legislation. Rep. Lloyd Smucker (PA) flipped his vote from “yes” to “no” for procedural reasons, allowing the bill to be reconsidered later. Smucker said he remains confident the bill can pass.
The sweeping legislation blends policies from 11 House committees. It addresses border security, immigration, taxes, energy production, national defense, and raising the debt ceiling. GOP leaders hoped to advance it via budget reconciliation, bypassing Senate filibusters with a simple majority.
But dissenting Republicans slammed the bill’s delayed implementation of Medicaid work requirements and a slow rollback of green energy subsidies from the Biden-era Inflation Reduction Act.
“We’ve got to change the direction of this town,” Roy said during debate. “That means touching Medicaid now—not in 2029.” He and Norman voiced strong concerns before the vote and called for further negotiations.
Norman warned against rushing the vote. “If they call for a vote now, it’s not going to end well,” he said, awaiting commitments from leadership. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise said negotiations with Trump officials are ongoing to resolve those concerns.
All four dissenters are members of the House Freedom Caucus. They pledged to stay in Washington over the weekend to continue working on changes. “We are continuing to negotiate,” a caucus spokesperson told reporters.
Roy confirmed on X that he will remain in Washington to push for changes. “Medicaid work requirements must start NOW,” he wrote. “The Green New Scam must be fully repealed, as President Trump called for.”
Trump urged Republicans to back the bill through Truth Social, calling opponents “grandstanders.” However, his message did not sway the rebels. Trump was still returning from a Middle East diplomatic trip as the committee meeting took place.
Chairman Jodey Arrington directed the committee to reconvene Sunday at 10 p.m. to hold another vote. If it passes, the bill will move to the House Rules Committee for final adjustments, then to a full House vote.
Speaker Mike Johnson wants the bill passed by Memorial Day, with a final version on Trump’s desk by July 4. Republican senators have already requested changes, signaling more negotiations ahead.
As handful of Republicans sink Trump’s big, beautiful bill, GOP unity appears fractured, placing Trump’s legislative agenda at risk.
For more political updates, visit DC Brief.
