House Republicans push Trump’s ‘big beautiful bill’ through despite internal divisions

House Speaker Mike Johnson faced significant challenges rallying Republican lawmakers to pass President Donald Trump’s signature “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” a sweeping tax and spending package that narrowly cleared a procedural hurdle in the early hours of Thursday morning. The legislation, which embodies Trump’s second-term priorities, encountered fierce resistance from both conservative fiscal hawks and centrist Republicans, highlighting deep divisions within the GOP’s narrow House majority.

The procedural vote, which failed initially on Wednesday night, succeeded after hours of negotiations and pressure from Trump. The final tally of 219-213 occurred at 3:30 a.m., with all but one Republican, Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, ultimately voting in favor. The tense standoff underscores the challenges Speaker Johnson faces in managing competing factions within his party.

The stakes of Trump’s legislative centerpiece

The bill, already approved by the Senate with a tie-breaking vote from Vice President J.D. Vance, is a cornerstone of Trump’s agenda. It includes extensions to his 2017 tax cuts, the elimination of taxes on tips and overtime, and increased funding for immigration and border security. However, these measures come with steep trade-offs: deep cuts to Medicaid and food assistance programs, as well as reductions in green energy tax credits.

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that the Senate version of the bill would increase the national deficit by $3.4 trillion—$1 trillion more than an earlier House version. Additionally, changes to Medicaid threaten to leave 12 million Americans uninsured by 2034. These fiscal and social consequences sparked concerns across the political spectrum, with conservative members warning of reckless spending and centrists fearing backlash from constituents.

Late-night negotiations and Trump’s intervention

Throughout Wednesday, Johnson worked to resolve Republican opposition. Some lawmakers, including members of the House Freedom Caucus, demanded stricter fiscal discipline and amendments to Medicaid provisions. Meanwhile, moderates worried about the political fallout from cuts to essential programs.

Trump personally intervened, hosting meetings with lawmakers at the White House and enlisting Dr. Mehmet Oz, head of the agency overseeing Medicaid, to allay concerns about the bill’s healthcare provisions. Trump also took to Truth Social, pressuring Republicans to support the bill with messages such as, “FOR REPUBLICANS, THIS SHOULD BE AN EASY YES VOTE. RIDICULOUS!!!”

By early Thursday, Johnson and Trump succeeded in persuading key holdouts, including Rep. Ralph Norman of South Carolina, who initially opposed the bill but changed his stance after discussions. “We found out things that are going to happen, which will affect the whole country in a good way,” Norman said after voting yes.

Fragile unity in the GOP

Despite the procedural victory, the coalition supporting the bill remains fragile. Many Republicans remain uneasy about the Senate’s revisions, which include a controversial carveout delaying food stamp cuts in states like Alaska, a provision that helped secure the vote of Sen. Lisa Murkowski.

Moderate Republicans, such as Rep. Chip Roy of Texas, expressed lingering concerns about Medicaid cuts but ultimately supported the rule vote. “I still have concerns,” Roy said, adding that he was reassured by additional information about the bill’s provisions.

What’s next for the ‘big beautiful bill’?

As the House begins final debate, any further delays or changes to the bill could jeopardize Trump’s goal of signing it into law by July 4. Johnson remains optimistic, insisting the deadline will be met. “We’re going to meet our July 4 deadline, which everybody made fun of me for saying,” he said early Thursday. “This is going to end well.”

The bill’s passage would deliver a significant legislative victory for Trump, solidifying his second-term agenda. However, its fiscal and social implications, particularly the increased deficit and cuts to social programs, ensure that the legislation will remain controversial both within and outside the GOP.