President Trump just wrapped a successful diplomatic mission to the Middle East, securing historic business deals and calling out Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Back home? His party couldn’t even pass his signature domestic legislation through their own committee.
Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill,” a sweeping package combining border security, energy independence, tax cuts, and fiscal reforms, was meant to be the crown jewel of his legislative return. But instead of clearing the first hurdle, it was sunk in the House Budget Committee by five Republicans who decided now was a good time to throw a wrench in the works.
Who Killed the Bill?
Reps. Chip Roy (TX), Ralph Norman (SC), Josh Brecheen (OK), Andrew Clyde (GA), and Lloyd Smucker (PA) made headlines when they refused to back the bill. Smucker’s vote was procedural — a move that lets him bring it back for another vote later. The other four? Their “no” votes were cold, hard rejections.
And let’s be clear: this wasn’t some bloated, pork-laden swamp monster. It was the product of 11 House committees and aligned directly with the America First agenda: stricter border control, tax relief for working Americans, rollback of Biden-era green energy subsidies, and yes — some long-overdue fiscal restraint.
So why did the GOP’s own fiscal hawks kill it?
Medicaid in 2029? Green Subsidies Lingering?
The holdouts were upset that Medicaid work requirements wouldn’t kick in until 2029 and that green energy subsidies were being phased out too slowly. Their point: Washington loves to promise cuts that never come.
Chip Roy said it plainly: “Only in Washington are we expected to bet on the come that in five years, then everything will work.” He’s not wrong. But the irony? The perfect became the enemy of the good.
Trump: Not Amused
Trump, en route home from Abu Dhabi, didn’t hold back. Posting on Truth Social, he called the holdouts “grandstanders” and urged Republicans to rally behind the bill. His allies in the House had worked hard to align the bill with his agenda — and timing mattered. Speaker Mike Johnson had a Memorial Day vote on the calendar. Now, it’s all up in the air.
A Missed Opportunity for Unity
Let’s be blunt: Democrats vote in lockstep even when they’re pushing gender theory in kindergartens and funding DEI departments in the Pentagon. But Republicans? Some days we can’t even agree that the sun rises in the east.
This was a chance to show voters the GOP could govern, that they could deliver results while holding the line on spending. Instead, the headlines write themselves: “Trump’s Own Party Kills His Bill.”
And while the bill can still be revived, the damage is done. The Left will use this to argue that Trump lacks control of his party. They’ll say the MAGA coalition is fractured. And unless the Freedom Caucus and leadership close ranks fast, they might not be wrong.
What’s Next?
The House Budget Committee may reconvene Monday to try again. The holdouts are reportedly still negotiating. Speaker Johnson wants the full House to vote before Memorial Day, with the goal of sending the bill to Trump’s desk by July 4th.
But Senate Republicans are already signaling that they want changes. So even if the bill gets through the House, it’ll face more hurdles up the chain.
In the meantime, voters are watching. They’re tired of the D.C. soap opera. They want border security, tax relief, and real leadership.
Let’s hope the GOP gets the memo before it’s too late.
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JIMMY
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