Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill' Advances After GOP Infighting Delays Progress

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump's sweeping domestic policy proposal, dubbed the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," narrowly advanced out of the House Budget Committee late Sunday night following a rare weekend vote. The committee approved the measure by a 17–16 vote, with four Republican holdouts—Reps. Chip Roy (Texas), Ralph Norman (South Carolina), Andrew Clyde (Georgia), and Josh Brecheen (Oklahoma)—shifting from opposition to voting "present," allowing the bill to proceed without their explicit endorsement.

The legislation, spanning over 1,100 pages, aims to permanently extend the 2017 tax cuts, eliminate taxes on tips and overtime pay, and increase spending on border security and defense. To offset these costs, the bill proposes $1.5 trillion in spending cuts, targeting programs like Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Fiscal conservatives had previously blocked the bill on Friday, citing concerns over the national deficit and the pace of implementing Medicaid work requirements. Negotiations over the weekend led to commitments from GOP leadership to accelerate these requirements and phase out green energy incentives more quickly, satisfying some of the holdouts.

Despite the committee's approval, the bill faces challenges ahead. Moderate Republicans have expressed unease over the proposed cuts to social programs and the potential impact on their constituents. Democrats remain unified in opposition, criticizing the bill for favoring tax cuts for the wealthy while reducing support for vulnerable populations.

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-La.) aims to bring the bill to a full House vote before the Memorial Day recess. However, with a slim Republican majority, any defections could jeopardize its passage. The bill's advancement also coincides with Moody's recent downgrade of the U.S. credit rating, citing concerns over escalating government debt—a situation exacerbated by the proposed tax cuts and spending increases in the bill.

The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget estimates that the bill could add between $3.3 trillion and $5.2 trillion to the national debt over the next decade, depending on the final provisions.

As the bill moves to the House floor, Republican leadership must navigate internal divisions to secure its passage, balancing the demands of fiscal conservatives with the concerns of moderates. The outcome will significantly impact the trajectory of President Trump's domestic agenda.

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