Budget Committee Moves Trump Agenda Bill Forward Amid GOP Divisions
WASHINGTON — May 19 — The House Budget Committee narrowly advanced President Donald Trump’s sweeping domestic policy bill on Sunday night, signaling progress after internal GOP resistance stalled the legislation just two days earlier.
The committee voted 17-16 along party lines, with four Republicans who had previously opposed the measure now voting “present,” allowing the bill to move forward.
Policy Highlights: Tax Cuts, Military Spending, and Entitlement Changes
The legislation outlines a major expansion of Trump’s first-term policy agenda. It includes:
- A significant increase in funding for immigration enforcement and the military
- An extension of the 2017 Trump-era tax cuts, set to expire at the end of the year
- Reductions in Medicaid, food assistance programs, and clean energy funding to offset the cost of the tax package and new spending
Despite Sunday’s committee approval, the bill is expected to undergo additional revisions before it can secure enough support for passage in the full House. Even if approved, the measure faces a difficult path in the Senate, where Republican members have expressed skepticism and signaled that further negotiations are likely.
Conservative Holdouts Temporarily Shift Position
Key conservative members of the committee—Reps. Ralph Norman (R-SC), Chip Roy (R-TX), Andrew Clyde (R-GA), and Josh Brecheen (R-OK)—had previously voted to block the bill on Friday, citing concerns about insufficient spending cuts and growing deficits. On Sunday, all four opted to vote “present,” enabling the bill’s advancement without fully endorsing it.
Rep. Norman, when asked what changed his position, declined to specify. “I’m excited about the changes we made, and I will vote present,” he said before the vote, avoiding follow-up questions.
Rep. Roy later posted on X (formerly Twitter) that discussions led to stronger Medicaid work requirements and a faster rollback of clean energy subsidies. However, he maintained that the bill is not yet acceptable in its current form.
Democrats Demand Transparency, Republicans Withhold Details
Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-PA), the committee’s ranking Democrat, raised concerns over undisclosed negotiations, asking Chairman Jodey Arrington (R-TX) to clarify any side deals made to change votes. Arrington refused to share details, saying that “deliberations continue” and that “there are no formal or final changes” to disclose.
The Congressional Budget Office has not yet issued a fiscal score on the legislation’s impact on deficits.
Next Steps: Full House Vote Targeted for This Week
The bill is now headed to the House Rules Committee, where members can offer further amendments. The panel is scheduled to begin reviewing the bill early Wednesday at 1 a.m. ET.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) confirmed late Sunday that he aims to bring the full bill to a vote on the House floor by Thursday. He has set a deadline of passing the legislation before Memorial Day.
