GOP leaders are in a race against time to unite their conference behind a sweeping Senate bill that encapsulates President Trump’s domestic agenda. The aim is to have the legislation on the president’s desk before the holiday weekend. However, the task is proving challenging as moderate Republicans express concerns over Medicaid cuts, while conservatives oppose the increased deficit spending, both of which were amplified by the Senate.
The bill’s passage is uncertain due to the GOP’s slim House majority, which allows for only a few defections. “If you look at the totality of this, I don’t believe this delivers what the president, what the administration, were working to deliver on,” said Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas), a member of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, emphasizing the need to control deficit spending. “I know why they’re going to lobby for it, I know why the president’s going to push for it. They want to see it get done, and I get it,” he added. “But I think we have more work to do.”
Internal Divisions and Political Pressure
This internal resistance presents a significant hurdle for Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and other GOP leaders, who are striving to align the party to pass the bill, which includes major tax cuts, immigration reforms, and cuts to federal health and nutrition programs. Some House GOP members, both moderates and conservatives, had previously warned that they would oppose the bill if it worsened in the Senate. They now face the dilemma of supporting the bill to give Trump a victory or standing firm in opposition, potentially sinking the legislation.
Moderates and hard-liners are caught between these conflicting pressures. “Maybe I’ll get lucky and have a rough enough landing or something that I’m unable to make [it] to D.C. for a few weeks,” one moderate House Republican told The Hill, highlighting the difficult position they find themselves in.
President Trump is actively urging Republicans to back the legislation, hinting at potential primary challenges against those who resist. This scenario is not merely theoretical, as Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), who opposed the House version of the bill, has been targeted by a MAGA-backed super PAC. Similarly, Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) faced backlash after announcing his opposition to the package, leading to his decision to retire at the end of his term.
Democratic Opposition and Legislative Timeline
Democrats, while unable to block the legislation, are seizing the opportunity to criticize its most contentious elements, such as cuts to low-income health and nutrition programs. These cuts are intended to offset the cost of the tax cuts. “Republicans claim to be the party of working-class Americans — you are not. You are hurting working-class Americans,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) stated, questioning why Republicans in swing seats would support a bill that could harm their constituents.
Adding to the pressure, GOP leadership has set a self-imposed deadline to pass the bill by July 4, necessitating a rapid legislative process. Following the Senate vote, the top House GOP leaders expressed their commitment to completing their work “in time for Independence Day.” However, Speaker Johnson was less certain when speaking to reporters, acknowledging the high stakes and aggressive schedule.
Challenges in the Legislative Process
The House Rules Committee convened to discuss the bill, marking the initial step in the House’s consideration process. House GOP leaders plan to begin debate on the rule and hold votes on both the procedural rule and the underlying legislation. Yet, this first step is already precarious.
Rep. Andy Harris (R-Md.), chair of the Freedom Caucus, announced his intention to vote against the procedural rule, threatening to halt legislative progress. With Republicans able to afford only three defections, Harris and Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) have already declared their opposition.
“That’s exactly why a group of us are not going to vote to advance the bill until we iron out some of the deficit problems with the bills,” Harris stated, referencing criticism from Elon Musk. “Look, Mr. Musk is right, we cannot sustain these deficits; he understands finances, he understands debts and deficits, and we have to make further progress.”
Trump’s Influence and the Path Forward
President Trump praised the Senate’s passage of his agenda and urged House Republicans to follow suit. “I thought the Senate was going to be tougher than the House. We got there. We got pretty much what we wanted,” Trump remarked, emphasizing the bill’s significance.
A senior White House official underscored the urgency, stating that the House must pass the bill in its current form by July 4 for a symbolic signing by the president. The official dismissed the possibility of further changes, emphasizing that “the end of the road is here.”
The White House is actively lobbying ahead of the vote, with top officials, including Trump, working to secure support. As the deadline approaches, the GOP faces a critical juncture in determining whether they can unite to pass the bill and deliver on Trump’s agenda.
