The House Budget Committee, in a closely contested vote, advanced President Donald Trump’s ambitious domestic policy package on Sunday night. The decision came just two days after a conservative faction had initially rejected the proposal. The vote, which followed party lines, ended at 17-16, with four Republican members opting to vote “present” instead of opposing the bill as they had initially.
This progression marks a potential turning point for the extensive bill, though it will require further modifications to secure the necessary support in the full House. Even if successful there, the bill is expected to face substantial hurdles in the Senate, where Republican members have expressed that significant alterations would be essential for it to pass.
The proposed package encompasses a substantial increase in spending for immigration enforcement and military initiatives while also aiming to extend Trump’s 2017 tax cuts beyond their scheduled expiration this year. To offset the costs associated with these tax cuts, the proposal includes reductions in Medicaid, food assistance, and clean energy funding.
The favorable committee vote followed strategic negotiations by Republican leaders over the weekend, aimed at addressing concerns from conservative hard-liners who had criticized the bill for insufficient spending cuts and potential deficit increases. These conservatives have pushed for immediate implementation of Medicaid work requirements and the earlier elimination of clean energy tax credits.
Despite not detailing specific amendments, some conservatives, including Rep. Ralph Norman, expressed satisfaction with the changes and chose to vote “present.” Along with him, Reps. Chip Roy, Andrew Clyde, and Josh Brecheen, who had initially opposed the bill, also shifted to a “present” vote, allowing the bill to advance.
The committee’s leading Democrat, Brendan Boyle, queried Chairman Jodey Arrington about any undisclosed agreements made to facilitate the vote change. Arrington acknowledged ongoing deliberations but refrained from disclosing specifics, citing the complexity and fluid nature of the discussions.
Rep. Chip Roy indicated that alterations to the bill involved accelerating Medicaid work requirements and diminishing future clean energy subsidies. However, he emphasized that further improvements were necessary before the bill’s final passage.
In response to these developments, House GOP leadership expressed optimism, with Speaker Mike Johnson highlighting the urgency and transformative potential of the legislation. He projected that the package would proceed to the Rules Committee mid-week and hoped for a full House vote by week’s end, aligning with the Memorial Day deadline set by House Republicans.
