House GOP Struggles to Secure Final Votes for Trump’s Tax Bill

House Republican leaders encountered obstacles in securing the final votes needed to advance Donald Trump’s far-reaching tax and spending proposal, keeping a key vote open for several hours while the president and his allies worked to persuade them, although they remained hopeful that the legislation would eventually pass.

Nevertheless, they have not reached that point yet.

During an important procedural vote that started late Wednesday and continued into Thursday, five Republicans cast “no” votes, and eight others abstained. This situation could impede the bill’s advancement—House Speaker Mike Johnson can only permit a maximum of three defections from the House, given that all Democrats opposed it.

However, Johnson told a Wall Street Journal reporter that he thinks some dissenters are starting to change their minds, stating, “this is going to end well.”

Despite the Republicans controlling both chambers of Congress, Trump’s significant legislation has faced resistance from budget-focused conservatives and moderate representatives from swing districts, who are worried the proposal excessively trims Medicaid and other social safety programs.

‘Costing you votes’

Failure to pass the legislation would represent a considerable political blow for Trump, who views the bill as a top priority. The “big beautiful bill” includes tax cuts that Republicans campaigned on, the reduction of Biden-era clean energy incentives, and funding for Trump’s initiatives aimed at combating illegal immigration.

The president expressed his frustrations over the delay shortly after midnight in Washington, more than two and a half hours after voting had begun.

“Largest Tax Cuts in History and a Booming Economy vs. Biggest Tax Increase in History, and a Failed Economy,” Trump tweeted on Truth Social. “What are the Republicans waiting for??? What are you trying to prove??? MAGA IS NOT HAPPY, AND IT’S COSTING YOU VOTES!!!”

The House vote in question pertained to the rules governing the debate for the underlying tax legislation. Historically, these votes are usually routine and along party lines. However, in a closely divided House, they can also serve as a platform for opponents to exert their influence and negotiate concessions.

As House leadership actively lobbied the holdouts and dissenters, Johnson committed to continuing the effort throughout the night.

“I’ll keep it open for as long as it takes to ensure we have everyone accounted for and all questions addressed,” Johnson stated in a Fox News interview.

Delivering the bill

Trump and Johnson had expressed confidence ahead of the crucial procedural vote. As voting commenced, the Speaker told reporters that “we’re in a good place,” asserting, “we’re going to deliver the big beautiful bill.”

Trump was even more optimistic: “We had GREAT conversations all day, and the Republican House Majority is UNITED, for the Good of our Country, delivering the Biggest Tax Cuts in History and MASSIVE Growth,” he posted on Truth Social.

Earlier that day, Johnson indicated optimism that sufficient Republican lawmakers would rally around the legislation, which includes tax cuts that the party campaigned on, the phase-out of Biden-era clean energy incentives, and funding for Trump’s efforts against illegal immigration.

‘The best we’ll get’

The intense lobbying has secured some votes. Just not enough—not yet.

Republican Representative Warren Davidson of Ohio, a fiscal conservative who opposed the previous House version of the legislation in May, said he would now support the bill.

“This bill isn’t perfect, but it’s the best we’ll get,” Davidson stated in a social media post.

Even Representative Thomas Massie, who has been the most vocal opponent of the proposal among House Republicans, anticipates that detractors will eventually fall just short of the necessary numbers to block Trump’s bill, akin to the outcome of the prior House vote on it.

Earlier that day, Trump gathered several conservatives at the White House for discussions.

A primary concern for that group is cost. The $3.4 trillion Senate bill increases the deficit more than a previous House version, which was estimated at $2.8 trillion by the Congressional Budget Office.

‘Time to pass’

Any changes to the measure made to satisfy restless House Republicans would necessitate a Senate vote again on the bill, jeopardizing Trump’s July 4 deadline and extending the timeline for his flagship proposal.

Compromises aimed at appeasing hardliners could also alienate moderate representatives from swing districts in the House. A group of them has cautioned that more significant cuts to Medicaid providers in the Senate version than in the earlier House draft will severely affect hospitals in their districts.

So far, the White House has not considered alterations to the bill’s text, opting to explore with Republican lawmakers whether their concerns could be addressed through other means, such as executive actions or in subsequent legislation.

Trump has continually criticized Republican lawmakers who resist the legislation as “grandstanders” and has threatened to oppose the reelection of those who obstruct his agenda.

“We are going to get this done. Trump is the best closer,” declared Representative Richard Hudson of North Carolina, one of the House’s vote-counting whips. “The White House has made it clear we are done negotiating. It’s time to pass the bill.”

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