Conservatives threaten to derail Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’ over Senate changes

House conservatives are raising concerns about President Trump’s ambitious budget reconciliation bill after the Senate made significant changes to the legislation. Rep. Ralph Norman and members of the House Freedom Caucus are particularly troubled by the Senate’s decision to extend certain green energy tax credits from the previous administration’s Inflation Reduction Act, which they have dubbed “the Green New Scam.”

Another point of contention is the Senate’s proposal to increase the U.S. debt limit by $5 trillion, compared to the House’s original plan to raise it by $4 trillion. This has sparked worries among fiscal hawks in the House about the growing deficit and the impact on the country’s financial stability.

Trump’s vision for passing comprehensive legislation on tax, immigration, defense, and energy through the budget reconciliation process is now at risk due to the Senate’s modifications. By lowering the threshold for passage to 51 votes, reconciliation allows the majority party to push through legislation while bypassing the minority party, as long as the measures adhere to strict budgetary rules.

House Speaker Mike Johnson has urged the Senate to minimize changes to the bill, citing the slim majority by which it passed in the House. However, Senate Majority Leader John Thune is facing challenges within his own party, leading to divergent versions of the bill between the two chambers.

Members of the House Freedom Caucus, including Andy Harris, Keith Self, and Chip Roy, have expressed reservations about the Senate’s version of the bill. They are particularly critical of provisions related to Medicaid, the Green New Scam, and the deficit. If the bill returns to the House in its current form, these lawmakers have indicated they would vote against it.

Despite the internal divisions within the Republican Party, Trump has called on congressional Republicans to remain in Washington until the legislation is passed. He emphasized the urgency of getting the bill to his desk by the Fourth of July and urged lawmakers to work together to achieve this goal.

While some moderate Republican factions in the House have also raised concerns about the Senate’s revisions to the state and local tax deduction and Medicaid, the focus remains on resolving the differences between the two chambers and delivering on Trump’s agenda.

As the debate continues, Senate Republicans are facing their own challenges in securing enough votes for the bill. Thune acknowledged the possibility of defections and emphasized the need for unity within the party to move the legislation forward.

In the midst of these negotiations and disagreements, Speaker Johnson stressed the importance of a unified approach between the House and Senate Republicans, working in tandem with the White House to achieve their shared objectives. Despite the obstacles and differing viewpoints, the goal remains to pass comprehensive legislation that aligns with Trump’s priorities and addresses the country’s pressing issues.