House GOP Faces Roadblock: Tax Cut Vote Delayed Amid Conservative Opposition
House GOP Faces Roadblock: Tax Cut Vote Delayed Amid Conservative Opposition
WASHINGTON – A pivotal vote on the Republican budget framework, spearheaded by President Trump, was abruptly postponed late Wednesday as House GOP conservatives dug in their heels, demanding deeper spending cuts before endorsing trillions in proposed tax breaks. Speaker Mike Johnson, after an intense hour-long huddle with lawmakers, confirmed the delay but expressed optimism, vowing to revisit the bill on Thursday. “Don’t doubt us,” Johnson stated, signaling determination despite the setback.
The budget framework, central to Trump’s agenda of tax cuts, mass deportations, and a smaller federal government, was intended to be a significant milestone before the congressional spring break recess. A failed vote, particularly amidst the economic turbulence of Trump’s ongoing trade wars, would represent a major blow to the Republican agenda in Washington. Trump himself had urged Republicans to “Close your eyes and get there” during a Tuesday night fundraising dinner, emphasizing the bill’s importance.
However, by Wednesday afternoon, the outcome was uncertain, with at least a dozen conservative Republicans firmly opposing the plan. Several, including leaders of the ultraconservative Freedom Caucus, took the unusual step of meeting privately with Senate GOP leaders to press for more substantial cuts. Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) publicly declared, “The Math Does Not Add Up,” confirming his refusal to support the current version. Rep. Andy Harris (R-Md.), chair of the Freedom Caucus, led the delegation to meet with Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) and other Senate GOP leaders, a meeting Sen. John Barrasso (GOP whip) later described as “very positive,” emphasizing a shared commitment to significant taxpayer savings.
Despite the temporary halt, Johnson remained confident after speaking with President Trump, calling it “part of the process” and expressing optimism for the “one big, beautiful bill.” He acknowledged a “small subset of members who weren’t totally satisfied with the product as it stands.” House conservatives, even those who had met with Trump at the White House earlier in the week, remained concerned that the Senate GOP’s blueprint, approved last weekend, did not sufficiently slash spending to prevent soaring deficits. The Senate’s controversial accounting method, which doesn’t count the $4.5 trillion cost of preserving 2017 tax cuts as new spending, further fueled conservative anger.
Democrats, though in the minority, vocally opposed the framework. Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-Pa.), ranking Democrat on the budget committee, warned that proposed cuts would severely harm Medicaid, impacting millions of Americans. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) condemned the plan as “reckless and callous,” accusing Republicans of slashing essential programs to fund tax breaks for the wealthy. “Hands off everyday Americans struggling to make ends meet,” Jeffries asserted.
The framework initiates the Republican push to preserve 2017 tax breaks while adding new campaign promises like no taxes on tipped wages and Social Security income, potentially ballooning the cost to $7 trillion over a decade. It also allocates significant funds—around $175 billion—for Trump’s mass deportation operation and increased defense spending, offset by steep cuts to domestic programs, including healthcare. While the House GOP version outlines $2 trillion in reductions, some Senate Republicans are hesitant to go that far. The package also seeks to boost the nation’s debt limit, with the House proposing a $4 trillion increase and the Senate a $5 trillion increase, aiming to defer the issue past the 2026 midterm elections. The current national debt stands at $36 trillion, with the Treasury Department projecting a fund depletion by August.
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