A group of conservative Republicans torpedoed a key House vote Friday, blocking progress on the “One Big Beautiful Bill” — a sweeping package that encompasses President Trump’s legislative agenda, marking a stunning setback for the legislation.
In a surprise 16–21 vote, the House Budget Committee failed to advance the bill after five Republicans broke ranks. The defection dealt a sharp blow to GOP leaders, who had hoped to send the bill to the Senate by Memorial Day.
The rebels — Reps. Chip Roy (R-Texas), Ralph Norman (R-S.C.), Josh Brecheen (R-Okla.), Andrew Clyde (R-Ga.), and Lloyd Smucker (R-Pa.) — tanked the vote, citing concerns over spending cuts and the bill’s timeline. Republicans could only afford to lose two votes. Smucker switched his vote from yes to no, a procedural move to allow the committee to revisit the bill later.
“To be clear — I fully support the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB). My vote today in the Budget Committee is a procedural requirement to preserve the committee’s opportunity to reconsider the motion,” Smucker wrote on X.
Still, the damage was done. Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington (R-Texas) abruptly recessed the hearing and told members to go home for the weekend. A new vote is tentatively expected Monday.
Behind the scenes, GOP leadership scrambled to lock down votes. Negotiations with House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) were still happening during the hearing, but hardliners didn’t budge.
“This bill falls profoundly short. It does not do what we say it does with respect to deficits,” said Roy.
Norman was blunt: “I’m very disappointed… Sadly, I’m a hard no until we get this ironed out.” He later added, “I’m tired of smoke and mirrors.”
The bill is a massive package of conservative priorities. It combines an extension of Trump’s 2017 tax cuts with deep cuts to food aid, Medicaid, and climate programs — all wrapped in Trump’s branding as the “One Big Beautiful Bill.” Republicans say it would slash at least $1.5 trillion over 10 years.
Among the most controversial pieces: tougher work requirements for Medicaid recipients that could lead to millions losing coverage; repealing green energy tax credits passed by Democrats in 2022; and shifting part of food assistance costs to the states for the first time.
But the bill is stuck between factions. Moderate Republicans want a bigger tax break for blue-state constituents by raising the cap on state and local tax deductions (SALT), currently set at $30,000 in the bill. Fiscal hawks say if that’s added, they want deeper cuts elsewhere.
Hardliners are also pushing for quicker rollouts of some cuts — especially Medicaid work requirements and energy subsidy repeals — and structural changes that moderates oppose, like cutting federal funding for Medicaid in Obamacare expansion states.
Norman said he won’t support the bill without clear commitments: “It’s a sticking point because it’s huge money.”
Scalise tried to downplay the divide, saying talks with Trump’s team are ongoing to speed up implementation of the bill’s provisions.
“What they want to see is progress and get answers on some of the questions and expedite the timelines,” Scalise said. “We’re all in agreement on the reforms we want to make… Some things the administration does have to actually create a process to implement.”
Even with all eyes on the vote, Trump made a last-minute push to sway rebels, posting during the markup on Truth Social:
“We don’t need ‘GRANDSTANDERS’ in the Republican Party. STOP TALKING, AND GET IT DONE!”
Norman responded directly: “I don’t need to grandstand… All we’re asking is [for] a little compromise somewhere. Let’s not give the farm. It’s not right.”
The tension was so high that Rep. Brandon Gill (R-Texas) showed up to vote even though his wife just had a baby last week.
“I’m here to support the president’s agenda,” Gill told reporters.
But for now, the “big, beautiful bill” is stuck — with Trump’s GOP still fighting itself.
