Trump’s 'Big, Beautiful Bill' Survives GOP Mutiny, Advances in House
Sarah Johnson
May 19, 2025
Brief
Trump’s 'big, beautiful bill' clears House hurdle after GOP rebellion, faces tense negotiations over Medicaid, taxes, and energy subsidies.
President Donald Trump’s ambitious legislative package, dubbed the "big, beautiful bill," narrowly cleared a critical House Budget Committee vote late Sunday, inching closer to a full House vote this week. The 17-16 decision, with four Republicans voting "present," followed a dramatic weekend of GOP infighting that nearly derailed the process.
The bill’s journey hit a snag Friday when four conservative House Freedom Caucus members halted its advance, demanding tougher Medicaid reforms and deeper cuts to green energy subsidies from the Inflation Reduction Act. After intense negotiations, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., secured their cooperation with written assurances, allowing the bill to move forward with minor tweaks expected before the House Rules Committee review.
Trump’s agenda, pushed through the budget reconciliation process, sidesteps Democratic opposition by lowering the Senate’s vote threshold to a simple majority. It bundles campaign promises like tax cuts, border security, energy policy shifts, and a debt limit increase. Yet, the bill’s scope has sparked tension within the GOP. Conservatives, led by Reps. Chip Roy and Ralph Norman, insist on immediate Medicaid work requirements and aggressive subsidy rollbacks, while moderates in high-cost districts push for larger state and local tax deductions—a move red-state Republicans criticize as pandering to blue states.
Despite Sunday’s win, the bill faces hurdles. The House Rules Committee, where Roy and Norman also hold sway, will debate amendments before a chamber-wide vote. Meanwhile, Senate Republicans have hinted at further changes, which could force the House to revisit the legislation. Speaker Johnson, optimistic, told reporters the GOP is on track to meet Trump’s July 4 deadline for a final bill.
The tightrope walk reflects deeper GOP divides, with fiscal hawks clashing against moderates over priorities. As negotiations continue, the bill’s fate hinges on balancing these factions while keeping Trump’s vision intact.
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Editor's Comments
Watching the GOP wrangle over Trump’s bill is like seeing a family feud at a Capitol Hill barbecue—everyone’s shouting about the recipe, but the grill’s still cold. Roy and Norman playing hardball on Medicaid reminds me of a couple of chefs demanding less sauce before tasting the dish. Meanwhile, Johnson’s dodging sparks like a seasoned pitmaster. Wonder if they’ll serve this bill by July 4 or just burn the burgers?
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