Donald Trump’s ambitious budget bill is facing significant hurdles as it returns to the House of Representatives, just ahead of the president’s July 4 deadline for lawmakers to finalize a version he can sign into law. The bill recently passed the Senate with a narrow margin, thanks to a tie-breaking vote from Vice-President JD Vance after intense debate among Republican senators.
However, the path to approval in the House is proving to be just as challenging. Speaker Mike Johnson had hoped to bring the bill to a vote on Wednesday, but many lawmakers left the floor when it became clear there weren’t enough votes to even allow the bill to be considered. The earlier version of the bill was approved by the House in May by just one vote, but the new amendments have created divisions among Republicans.
Despite Trump’s efforts to rally support, including meetings at the White House, some House Republicans remain unconvinced. Ralph Norman, a Republican from South Carolina, expressed his concerns, stating that about 25 of his colleagues are also opposed to the bill. He mentioned, "There won’t be any vote until we can satisfy everybody," highlighting the difficulty of unifying the party on this legislation.
Key issues at stake include the potential increase in the national deficit and proposed cuts to healthcare and social programs. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that the Senate version of the bill could add around $3.3 trillion to the deficit over the next decade. This figure has alarmed fiscal conservatives within the House Freedom Caucus, who are threatening to block the bill.
Some Republicans, like Chip Roy from Texas, have voiced their frustrations about the bill’s impact on national debt. Others, such as Andy Ogles, have proposed amendments to revert to the original House version, which they view as a more fiscally responsible option.
In addition to concerns about the deficit, representatives from poorer districts are worried about how cuts to Medicaid and other programs may affect their constituents. Six Republicans have indicated they might vote against the bill due to these healthcare cuts, which they fear could have serious repercussions for low-income Americans.
The budget bill also addresses the state and local tax (SALT) deduction, which allows taxpayers to deduct certain taxes from their federal returns. While both chambers have agreed to increase the deduction cap, the Senate’s version includes a provision that would revert the cap back to $10,000 after five years, raising concerns among some House Republicans.
With the clock ticking and divisions growing, the future of Trump’s budget bill remains uncertain. The stakes are high, as this legislation is seen as a defining piece for the president’s second term. As both chambers of Congress grapple with their differing priorities, it remains to be seen whether they can come together to pass a budget that satisfies all factions within the party.