A budget bill championed by Donald Trump has hit a roadblock as Republicans in his own party voted against it, citing deep cuts to Medicaid and other concerns. The legislation aimed to extend tax cuts implemented during Trump’s first administration but now faces an uncertain future.
A budget bill long touted by Donald Trump as the ‘big, beautiful bill’ hit a roadblock on Friday when lawmakers from the president’s own party voted against it in congress. The legislation, which aimed to extend tax cuts implemented during Trump‘s first administration, was met with opposition from five House Republicans who joined all Democrats in delivering a stunning setback to President Trump‘s domestic agenda.
The five Republicans who voted against the measure in the procedural vote demanded deeper budget cuts, including further reductions to Medicaid, a healthcare programme for lower-income Americans. They also want Speaker Mike Johnson to include a full repeal of green energy tax cuts implemented by Democrats in the bill. ‘This bill falls profoundly short,’ said Texas Republican Chip Roy, who voted against the measure. ‘It does not do what we say it does with respect to deficits.’
While Trump touts the bill’s inclusion of a no tax on tips policy, some critics argue the bill benefits wealthy Americans. Democrats, who overwhelmingly oppose the bill, have been urging the reconsideration of Medicaid cuts and spending cuts to the Affordable care Act which offers millions of Americans subsidised health insurance.
The proposed legislation would extend tax cuts implemented during Trump‘s first administration, costing $3.72 trillion (£2.8t) over ten years, according to congress’s bipartisan Joint Tax Committee. The bill’s chances of success are not hopeless, but its failure gives the Trump administration its first legislative bruise of the year.
