Republican hard-liners defy Trump, Johnson as megabill fails to advance

Rep. Chip Roy of Texas spoke at a press conference on the Upper West Terrace of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. in May 2023. A legislative megabill from President Donald Trump faced opposition from a group of far-right Republicans, causing it to stall during a House Budget Committee meeting on Friday.

Members of the House Freedom Caucus, including Reps. Andrew Clyde, Josh Brecheen, Ralph Norman, and Chip Roy, along with Rep. Lloyd Smucker, voted against advancing the bill out of the committee. Roy expressed concerns during the meeting, stating that he would not support the bill unless significant reforms were made promptly.

Although critics of the bill were reportedly making progress in negotiations, the vote was called before the issues were resolved. Committee chair Rep. Jodey Arrington adjourned the meeting, with Rep. Glenn Grothman predicting that the bill would eventually pass after further negotiations.

President Trump criticized his detractors on social media, emphasizing the importance of unity behind his agenda. The bill aims to enact new tax breaks, extend existing tax cuts, increase border security spending, and reduce spending on safety-net programs. Some GOP members, including Roy and Norman, and a group from New York, have voiced concerns or conditions for supporting the bill.

The legislation faces challenges and negotiations, as various representatives push for amendments to address their specific concerns before it can proceed for a vote on the House floor.