House Republicans Struggle to Pass Trump Tax Cuts Amid Internal Divisions

‍ ⁢ Updated July 3, 2025
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House Republicans encountered notable hurdles in their effort⁤ to pass President Donald Trump’s tax and spending cuts package, aiming to deliver the bill to ‍his desk by⁢ the July‍ 4th‍ deadline. GOP leaders worked to⁤ sway skeptical members, but faced resistance from both moderate and conservative factions.

A procedural vote that began late Wednesday stretched ​into​ Thursday morning as several Republicans withheld their support, jeopardizing the outcome given the party’s narrow majority. House Speaker ‌Mike Johnson,⁤ who had‌ recalled lawmakers to Washington, ⁤affirmed his commitment to pushing the bill forward, saying, “Our way ⁤is to ⁤plow through and get it done.” He anticipated votes later‌ Thursday morning and ‍reiterated the goal to meet the July 4th deadline.

As the voting ​process stalled, Trump expressed his⁣ frustration in a ⁣late-night post, questioning the Republican delay and warning⁤ of ⁢potential political ‍repercussions. The proposed vote on the 800-page bill was a gamble to meet Trump’s demand for a swift resolution. ​Republicans have consistently faced challenges with the ⁤bill, often⁢ succeeding by a​ single vote, leaving little margin for error ⁣with a 220-212 ‍majority.

Several Republicans are hesitant⁢ to endorse ​the Senate version shortly⁢ after its​ passage. Moderate Republicans⁢ from⁣ competitive districts ⁤have voiced concerns​ over ⁣Medicaid ‍cuts, ​while conservatives have criticized the bill for deviating from ‍fiscal obligation. Johnson and his team are tasked ‍with convincing them that negotiations⁢ are complete, seeking Trump’s assistance to finalize the agreement. Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., said that ⁢trump’s message to lawmakers at a White House ‍meeting was, “We’re on a​ roll. ‌He wants to see this.”

Republicans are relying on their congressional majority to ⁣overcome unified Democratic opposition. ⁤House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said,”Hell no!”

An early indication of ​Republican dissent emerged when a resolution outlining debate terms for Trump’s bill ⁤barely passed ‌the House Rules Committee. The full House vote‌ stalled as GOP leaders awaited the return⁣ of delayed lawmakers and⁢ engaged​ in​ closed-door‍ negotiations with dissenting members.By nightfall, the next steps remained uncertain.

Trump‍ pushes Republicans to do ‘the right thing’

The bill seeks ‌to extend and make ⁤permanent various individual and business tax breaks from Trump’s first term, while ‍introducing new ones promised during his 2024 campaign. These include deductions for worker ⁢tips and overtime ‍pay, and a $6,000 deduction for older ‌adults earning⁢ less than $75,000 annually. the legislation encompasses approximately $4.5 trillion in tax cuts over a decade.

Additionally, the bill allocates around $350 ​billion for defense‌ and ⁤Trump’s immigration enforcement efforts. These provisions are ‍partially funded through reduced spending on⁤ Medicaid and food ‍assistance. The Congressional Budget Office projects the bill will increase the federal debt ​by about $3.3 trillion over‍ the next decade.

The House previously ⁣passed its‍ version of the ⁣bill in May by a single vote, despite ⁤concerns about spending cuts and‌ the overall cost. Lawmakers are now being asked ⁤to approve a ⁤version that amplifies these concerns,with a significantly higher⁢ projected impact on the national debt.

Trump⁤ said‌ in a late evening post, ⁤”Lets go Republicans and⁣ everyone else.”

The high price of ⁤opposing Trump’s bill

Johnson aims to adhere to trump’s timeline, betting that⁣ Republicans⁣ will⁢ avoid opposing⁢ the ​president due to potential political repercussions.

Sen. Thom Tillis,⁣ R-N.C.,faced immediate backlash after announcing his opposition to ‌the bill,with Trump calling for a primary challenger⁤ and criticizing him on social media. Tillis later announced he would not seek a third ‌term.

Rep.Thomas ⁤Massie of Kentucky, another Republican ⁢opponent ‍of the bill, ⁢is reportedly being targeted by ‌Trump’s ​political ⁤operation.

Democrats⁤ target vulnerable Republicans to join them in opposition

Jeffries, surrounded by his ⁢caucus, emphasized that with unanimous Democratic opposition,‌ only four Republican‍ defections are⁣ needed to block the bill’s passage.

Jeffries invoked the “courage” of the late⁣ Sen. John mccain’s vote against repealing the Affordable care Act, ⁤and singled out Republicans from competitive districts, including two ⁢from Pennsylvania, asking, “Why would ‍Rob Bresnahan vote for this⁢ bill? Why would scott Perry vote for this bill?”

Democrats‌ have described the bill as dire, warning of potential consequences‍ from Medicaid and ‍food stamp ​cuts. Jeffries said the cuts would be “literally ripping the food out of‍ the mouths of children, veterans and seniors.”

Republicans argue they are adjusting safety net programs to serve their intended population and eliminate waste,fraud,and abuse.

The package introduces new 80-hour-a-month work requirements for many Medicaid recipients and extends existing​ work requirements in SNAP ‍to more beneficiaries. States ​will also ⁣bear a larger⁢ share ⁢of food benefit costs.

The primary driver ⁢of the bill is the extension of tax cuts, ⁣many‌ of which are set to expire ⁢at the end of the year without congressional action.

The Tax Policy ​Centre projects the⁢ bill would result in a $150 tax break for the lowest quintile of Americans, a $1,750 ⁢tax cut for the ​middle quintile, ⁢and a $10,950 tax ⁣cut for the​ top quintile,‌ compared to ⁢the scenario where the 2017 tax cuts expire.

What’s‌ next

The coming days will reveal whether Speaker Johnson can successfully ⁣navigate the divisions within​ his party and secure enough ‌votes to ​pass the tax and spending cuts package, or if the Republican infighting will derail ​President Trump’s legislative ⁣agenda.