House Republicans Push Ahead with Budget Vote Amid Internal Opposition
The House Republican leadership is gearing up for a high-stakes vote on a budget plan Tuesday evening, despite resistance from at least four Republican lawmakers. With Speaker Mike Johnson facing a critical test of his ability to unite his caucus, GOP leaders are increasingly relying on President Donald Trump to persuade the holdouts and secure the necessary votes. The budget blueprint is intended to pave the way for advancing Trump’s policy agenda, but the path forward remains uncertain as tensions within the Republican ranks come to a head.
Internal Resistance and Last-Ditch Negotiations
Speaker Johnson acknowledged the challenges in locking down the votes, stating that he was meeting with some of the holdouts to address their concerns. "We’re still working on" securing the votes needed to pass the resolution, he said, emphasizing that negotiations are complex and ongoing. A key point of contention among Republicans is the scale of spending cuts, with many wanting to ensure that the reductions are substantial enough. Johnson expressed optimism, however, saying, "We will get there."
Rep. Tim Burchett of Tennessee, one of the lawmakers opposed to the plan, confirmed that he had spoken with Trump but declined to share details of their conversation. Others, including Reps. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Warren Davidson of Ohio, and Victoria Spartz of Indiana, have openly declared their opposition. With only two Republican defections affordable for the budget to pass, the pressure on Johnson and his leadership team is immense.
Trump’s Role in Swaying Holdouts
President Trump has emerged as a key figure in the GOP’s efforts to rally support for the budget. According to Johnson, Trump has been in direct contact with several undecided members, making his support for the plan clear. "The president has talked to a number of members. He’s made his intentions well-known, and he wants them to vote for this and move it along so we can start the process," Johnson explained. While Trump’s involvement has not yet swayed all holdouts, his influence remains critical in this tight race for votes.
Scalise Pushes Back Against Democratic Criticism
As the budget vote looms, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise has been vocal in defending the plan against Democratic accusations. Scalise blasted Democrats for claiming that the budget includes deep cuts to Medicaid, arguing that the claim is a deliberate falsehood. "This bill doesn’t even mention the word ‘Medicaid’ a single time, and yet, all Democrats are doing is lying about what’s in the budget because they don’t want to talk about the truth," Scalise said. While the budget does not explicitly reference Medicaid, it does propose at least $2 trillion in cuts to mandatory federal spending, which includes entitlement programs like Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.
Skepticism and Division Within the Republican Caucus
Despite GOP leaders’ efforts to mollify concerns, some Republican lawmakers remain unconvinced. Rep. Thomas Massie, a vocal critic of the budget, has argued that the plan could actually increase the deficit by billions of dollars. "They’ve convinced me to vote no," he said sarcastically after a closed-door meeting with leadership. Meanwhile, other Republicans, such as Rep. Nicole Malliotakis of New York, expressed hesitation but indicated they were leaning toward supporting the plan after receiving assurances about Medicaid protections for their constituents. Still others, like Rep. Rich McCormick of Georgia, are pushing for deeper spending cuts to preserve programs like Social Security and Medicare.
Democratic Opposition and the Broader Political Battle
House Democrats have united in their opposition to the budget, with Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries leading the charge. At a rally on the Capitol steps Tuesday, Jeffries declared that Democrats would not provide a single vote for the Republican plan, calling it a "reckless" attack on vital programs like Medicaid. Jeffries warned that the budget would devastate vulnerable populations, including children, families, people with disabilities, and seniors, while also harming hospitals and nursing homes. "Everything we care about is under assault," he said, framing the vote as a choice between protecting the American people and advancing GOP priorities.
This high-stakes budget battle reflects deeper divisions within the Republican Party and the broader political landscape. As Speaker Johnson and his leadership team work to rally their caucus, the outcome of Tuesday’s vote will not only determine the fate of the budget but also serve as a critical test of Johnson’s leadership and the unity of his party.
