House Speaker Mike Johnson is in a familiar predicament as conservative Republican holdouts put the brakes on President Donald Trump’s massive bill involving tax breaks and spending cuts. The crux of the issue is the Senate GOP’s recently approved budget framework, which does not meet the House conservatives’ demands for deeper cuts.
In an attempt to rally support, Trump summoned Republicans from the conservative Freedom Caucus to the White House. However, despite Trump’s efforts, some Republicans remained unconvinced, holding out for greater cuts. “I’m tired of the fake math in the swamp,” remarked Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, a leading figure in the Freedom Caucus, as he headed to the White House. Even after meeting with the president, Roy was firm in his stance, declaring, “I’m still a no.”
This dispute sheds light on the limits of the GOP’s ongoing campaign to curtail federal spending, particularly during a period of economic uncertainty. Trump’s trade policies, the extensive layoffs of federal workers, and the efforts by top advisor Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency to trim government operations are adding layers of complexity to the debate.
With escalating concerns over Trump’s tariffs and the possibility of a recession, Speaker Johnson emphasized the need for swift action. He is urgently trying to gather the necessary votes to push the process forward before lawmakers break for a two-week spring recess on Thursday. “We’ve got to get this done,” Johnson stressed earlier.
Republicans are attempting to advance Trump’s flagship domestic policy bill, which aims to prevent the expiration of $4.5 trillion in tax breaks set to lapse at the year’s end. Yet, a rift has emerged as House Republicans press for $2 trillion in budget cuts over the next decade to balance the cost of the tax breaks, while Senate Republicans, who only recently passed their package, are cautious about making such significant cuts.
Democratic opposition to the package is unanimous, contending that it represents a tax giveaway to the affluent at the expense of critical services like Medicaid and food stamps. This opposition is complicating efforts to reconcile differences and produce a finalized bill.
In a challenge to resolve these differences, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries issued a letter to Johnson calling for a one-on-one debate about their budgetary disputes, posting on social media, “Mano a Mano,” stating that “the American people deserve to know the truth.”
The week’s schedule remains uncertain, with a planned vote possibly postponed to Thursday or beyond. During a speech at a National Republican Congressional Committee event, Trump described his White House meeting as “a great meeting,” imploring holdouts to unify and support the bill. “One little thing the Republican Party has to do is get together and damn vote,” he insisted, urging, “Close your eyes and get there. It’s a phenomenal bill. Stop grandstanding.”
Despite Trump’s appeals, many conservative House members remain unconvinced. “The rest of America has to do math and balance their budget. I think we ought to do math here in Washington, D.C.,” said Rep. Scott Perry, R-Pa. He emphasized that the figures don’t add up.
Several dozen Republicans are withholding their support, with Rep. Eric Burlison, R-Mo., critiquing the Senate’s cuts as “anemic.” Burlison stated, “I couldn’t sleep at night if I was part of exacerbating the federal deficit.” House Republicans are skeptical about whether Senate Republicans will meet their demands for more drastic cuts, given the Senate’s much lower figure of $4 billion in cuts.
Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., expressed his doubts, saying, “The trustworthiness of the Senate is suspect. It’s like you charge for your house $100,000, and I come back with $1,000. How do you bridge that gulf?”
The Senate GOP signaled the challenges ahead for the House’s proposed steep spending reductions during an overnight session. Some Republican senators sided with Democrats on amendments to preserve Medicaid from cuts, though none were passed.
Speaker Johnson is still a long way from securing the votes needed to pass the package within his slim majority. Some House Republicans suggest accepting the Senate resolution temporarily and continuing to work towards a final agreement. Meanwhile, others demand assurances that the Senate is equally committed to deep spending cuts.