President Donald Trump’s massive tax and immigration package is facing a significant setback after hard-liners in the Republican Party rebelled against the bill, citing deep spending cuts that they say are not enough. The legislation includes trillions of dollars in tax cuts and hundreds of billions of dollars for the administration’s immigration crackdown and defense priorities, but would add $2.5 trillion to the national debt.
Republican lawmakers, including Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) and Rep. Ralph Norman (R-South Carolina), joined forces to block the bill, saying it does not do enough to reduce deficits. The group, known as the House Freedom Caucus, has been pushing for deeper spending cuts, particularly from Medicaid and SNAP programs.
Despite efforts by Speaker Kevin Johnson and his team to negotiate with the holdouts, a deal was not reached on Friday. Two people familiar with the negotiations said Johnson prefers reconvening the Budget Committee on Sunday evening if a deal is struck with the holdouts. However, persistent disagreements between the ultraconservative Freedom Caucus and moderates have plagued House Republicans’ budget negotiations since last Congress.
The bill’s fate hangs in the balance, and its passage through the House will require all but two Republicans to approve it. If the legislation reaches the Senate, many are worried that dramatic policy changes may be made, which could potentially strip away key provisions of the bill.
Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2025/05/16/gop-hard-liners-block-trumps-big-beautiful-bill-taxes-immigration