Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’ faces crucial hours as Johnson courts Freedom Caucus

The tension is mounting in Washington as House Speaker Mike Johnson and members of the Freedom Caucus head to the White House to meet with President Donald Trump in the run-up to potentially passing the much-anticipated “big, beautiful bill.” The White House is pulling out all the stops to push for the passage of H.R. 1, also known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, emphasizing that President Trump is committed to keeping his promises and would sign the bill into law if it reaches his desk.
The pressure is on the Freedom Caucus to support the bill, with House GOP leaders aiming to pass it as soon as possible, potentially even late into the night or early morning. The goal is to leverage the president’s influence to sway reluctant members and secure their votes. The Freedom Caucus is seeking concessions similar to those secured by the SALT Caucus, raising concerns about the lack of a deal for their group.
House Speaker Mike Johnson is expected to introduce a “manager’s amendment” to make final tweaks to the bill and attract more Republican support. The amendment will need to be approved by the House Rules Committee before being incorporated into the bill. The Rules Committee plays a crucial role in setting the stage for the bill’s debate and eventual passage on the House floor.
The process of passing the bill involves several key steps, including adopting the rule to bring the bill to the floor, debating the bill, and ultimately voting on final passage. House Republican leaders are keen on moving quickly to avoid losing support and ensure the bill’s success. The pressure is on to secure the necessary votes within the next 12 to 24 hours, potentially leading to a late-night or early morning vote.
As the political maneuvering continues, there is a possibility of the bill being stalled, leading to a potential vote on Thursday night or early Friday morning. The outcome remains uncertain, with the fate of the “big, beautiful bill” hanging in the balance. The stakes are high as Congress races against the clock to deliver on President Trump’s agenda.