Why Budget Committee Conservatives Shot Down Part of the ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’

The House Budget Committee voted down the budget reconciliation bill in a blow to leadership’s efforts to pass President Donald Trump’s “big, beautiful bill.”

The bill was voted down 16-21 in committee, with Republican fiscal hawks—specifically Reps. Andrew Clyde of Georgia, Chip Roy of Texas, Ralph Norman of South Carolina, and Josh Brecheen of Oklahoma—voting it down. Rep. Lloyd Smucker, R-Pa., switched his vote from yes to no at the last moment.

House conservatives’ main concern remains the bill’s potential impact on America’s debt and deficit. While tax cuts remain a priority, these members have pushed for large cuts in federal spending to offset the budgetary effect. Conservatives argue that several portions of the bill, like moving up when Medicaid work requirements and when the elimination of energy subsidies kick in, could further cut savings.

With so many outstanding questions, House Republicans were expected to continue vigorously debating major provisions of the budget reconciliation package no matter what way the budget committee voted. Beyond Medicaid work requirements and repealing President Joe Biden’s green energy subsidies, other points of contention include defunding Planned Parenthood and transgender surgeries for minors, as well as state and local tax deductions.

All Democrats on the committee opposed it, as well.

An earlier social media post from Trump encouraged Republican members to get behind the bill. “We don’t need ‘GRANDSTANDERS’ in the Republican Party. STOP TALKING AND GET IT DONE!” the president said.

At the close of the hearing, Budget Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington, R-Texas, said, “I do not anticipate us coming back today,” and encouraged House members to go home for the weekend.

“This bill falls profoundly short. It does not do what we say it does with respect to deficits,” said Roy at the committee markup.

“I am a no on this bill unless serious reforms are made today, tomorrow, Sunday,” he added.

Norman expressed hopes that the budget could later be fixed to address fiscal hawks’ concerns about spending on Medicaid.

“Sadly, I am a hard no until we get this ironed out,” he said. “And I think we can. We’ve made progress, but it just takes time.”

After the vote, the Freedom Caucus stated on X, “Roy, Norman, Brecheen, Clyde, and others continue to work in good faith to enact the President’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ — we were making progress before the vote in the Budget Committee and will continue negotiations to further improve the reconciliation package.”