House Budget Committee advances ‘Big Beautiful Bill” in late Sunday session

House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, addressed reporters at the U.S. Capitol on Thursday, expressing the urgency to pass the “Big Beautiful Bill” before Memorial Day. The House Budget Committee conducted a rare Sunday night vote on President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” which extends tax cuts, boosts border funding, and mandates work for Medicaid recipients. The bill, encompassing a $7 trillion budget for fiscal year 2026, was advanced by a narrow 17-16 vote along party lines. Several Republicans who initially opposed the bill on Friday, including Ralph Norman, Chip Roy, Andrew Clyde, and Josh Brecheen, opted to vote present this time.

Roy explained his present vote was out of respect for the Republican Conference and the president, highlighting areas in the bill that he believes need improvement. Despite opposition from some Republicans and all Democrats, Speaker Johnson remains optimistic about the bill’s passage by the end of the week. The legislation now moves to the Rules Committee before facing a full House vote. Johnson emphasized the significance of timely approval and the bill’s potential impact on American citizens, stating it will deliver historic savings, tax relief, border security enhancements, and more.

The bill includes provisions to phase out tax credits for green energy projects, increase defense and national security funding, and make cuts to federal health and nutrition programs. However, negotiations continue over issues like Medicaid work requirements and tax rates for high earners. House moderates are concerned about potential Medicaid cuts, while some Republicans aim to raise tax rates for top earners as part of the bill. If passed in the House, the bill will head to the Senate, with hopes of a swift approval process to meet the Memorial Day deadline.