GOP Pushes Forward Trumps Big, Beautiful Bill in Unexpected Overnight Vote

Published: Monday, May 19, 2025 at 9:14 am

GOP's "One Big Beautiful Bill" Advances After Late-Night Committee Vote

In a surprising late-night move, the House Budget Committee advanced the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," a legislative package championed by Republicans, after a vote on Sunday. This marks a significant step forward for the GOP, despite internal divisions and the need to appease both fiscal conservatives and moderates. The bill, which includes extensions of Trump-era tax cuts, increased border funding, and reforms to Medicaid and food assistance programs, cleared a major hurdle with a 17-16 vote.

The vote was particularly noteworthy because it followed a failed attempt on Friday, where four conservative holdouts – Reps. Ralph Norman, Chip Roy, Andrew Clyde, and Josh Brecheen – blocked the bill. These holdouts, concerned about the bill's cost-cutting measures, particularly the timing of Medicaid work requirements and the phase-out of green energy incentives, voted "present" this time, allowing the bill to proceed. This shift suggests some progress in negotiations, with Roy indicating advancements in Medicaid work requirements and the reduction of green energy subsidies.

The high-stakes nature of the vote was evident, with Speaker Mike Johnson and White House Legislative Affairs Director James Braid present. Johnson hailed the vote as a "big win," emphasizing the need for further discussions and a final passage before Memorial Day. The bill now heads to the House Rules Committee, where further amendments and compromises are expected to address concerns from both fiscal conservatives and moderates.

Moderates, particularly those from high-tax states, are pushing for an increase to the state and local tax (SALT) deduction cap, a demand that could require adjustments elsewhere in the bill. While the holdouts allowed the bill to move forward, they signaled that more work is needed. Roy, while voting present, expressed reservations about the bill's current form, citing concerns about deficits and the need for more Medicaid reforms. Democrats, meanwhile, criticized the lack of transparency surrounding the behind-the-scenes negotiations.

BNN's Perspective:

This bill highlights the ongoing struggle within the Republican Party to balance competing priorities. While the advancement of the bill is a win for leadership, the need for compromises underscores the challenges of governing with a narrow majority. The final outcome will likely reflect a delicate balancing act between fiscal conservatism, support for Trump's agenda, and the need to secure votes from a diverse range of Republican lawmakers.

Keywords: GOP, Republican, Trump, One Big Beautiful Bill, House Budget Committee, tax cuts, border funding, Medicaid, food assistance, Ralph Norman, Chip Roy, Mike Johnson, SALT deduction, fiscal conservatives, moderates, late-night vote, legislative priorities, House Rules Committee, Brendan Boyle, deficit, green energy incentives, work requirements

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