The five Republicans who defied Trump and blew up his big beautiful bill

Economic Times

5 days ago

On the eve of America's Independence Day, a surprising revolt unfolded as five Republicans defied President Trump by voting against his sweeping tax-and-spending package, stalling its progress. This procedural vote became the longest in House history, exposing deep divisions within the GOP. Trump offered to intervene, but Speaker Johnson declined, determined to resolve the standoff internally.
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In the hours before America's Independence Day, a surprising revolt erupted on the House floor, five Republicans defiantly voted 'No' on President Trump's sweeping tax-and-spending package, stalling the bill's progress and exposing deep divides in the modern GOP.The procedural vote to advance the bill has now dragged on for over two hours, becoming the longest procedural vote in House history, with Speaker Mike Johnson refusing to close the vote until the defectors, some of whom have left the Capitol, can be persuaded to flip. Members may change their vote until the gavel falls.Trump, watching the drama unfold, offered to personally call lawmakers. 'Who else needs to have a discussion? I'm ready to get on the phone,' he told Speaker Johnson, according to a Fox News interview. Johnson reportedly declined, saying, 'Mr. President, you've done your job, and we'll do ours here.'Massie voted 'no' on the procedural rule, something he rarely does, even when opposing a bill's substance. Known for his deep fiscal conservatism, Massie opposes any legislation that raises the national deficit. 'Congress chose to sell out taxpayers instead,' he wrote on X.Thomas Massie, a libertarian-leaning conservative from Kentucky, claimed he has organized a bloc of at least 10 House Republicans prepared to vote down the bill. Backed publicly by Elon Musk , who called the bill a 'debt bomb' and vowed to fund primary challengers against GOP supporters, Massie has positioned himself as the bill's most formidable opponent. 'We've got enough,' he reportedly told NOTUS, referring to the number needed to block the final vote.Speaking from Air Force One, Trump predicted Massie will be 'history' in next year's primary, calling him 'Rand Paul Junior' and 'not a very smart guy.' 'He's always a no. Nothing constructive at all,' Trump added. Despite the attacks, Massie remains defiantStepping off the floor, Massie said he switched to a 'no' on the rule because 'if it goes down, I can't be a yes,' not wanting to be on record supporting a failed measure. He has long opposed the bill itself but initially backed the procedural step. Still, he hinted he may flip back if GOP leaders muster the votes.A centrist from a swing district, Fitzpatrick's opposition stems from both the Medicaid cuts in the Senate version and broader concerns about spending. He quietly exited the chamber after casting his vote.Moments later, as Republican colleagues scrambled to find him and plead for a reversal, Fitzpatrick abruptly left the chamber and could not be located. NBC News reported that Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) was told Fitzpatrick had 'run off' and simply replied, 'Smart.' Johnson then attempted to reach him by phone but was unsuccessful. Fitzpatrick has offered no public comment since, adding to the air of mysterySpartz voiced concerns over the lack of transparency in the legislative process. 'I can't rubber-stamp something I haven't had time to read,' she reportedly told colleagues.She didn't oppose the bill, but the way it was brought in. In a post on X shortly before 5 pm on July 2, she wrote: 'I'll vote for the bill, since we need to make it happen for our economy & there are some good provisions in it. However, I will vote against the rule due to broken commitments by House Speaker Mike Johnson to his own members.'Spartz said Johnson had assured Republicans he wouldn't bring a bill to the floor that exceeded a certain deficit threshold, but she claims the Senate version violates that agreement by about $500 billion.'I'm on Plan C now to deal with the looming fiscal catastrophe,' she added. Her vote against the rule, key to moving the bill forward, has added fuel to the rebellion from fiscal conservatives, many of whom argue the bill doesn't cut spending enough, especially on programs like Medicaid and SNAP.Rep. Andrew Clyde has remained firm in his opposition to advancing Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill,' aligning with the GOP's fiscal hardliners who argue the legislation adds too much to the national debt.Clyde, a gun store owner-turned-congressman, is known for his staunch conservatism and resistance to big government spending.He has not made a public statement during the procedural drama, but Speaker Mike Johnson was seen engaged in a long, animated conversation with him on the House floor as GOP leaders scrambled to flip holdouts.Rep. Keith Self, a member of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, confirmed to The Hill that he plans to vote against the procedural rule for Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill.'While supportive of key elements in the legislation, Self opposes the Senate-altered version and has called for a return to the original framework passed by the House in June.Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill' is the centerpiece of his 2025 agenda, aiming to make his 2017 tax cuts permanent, slash spending on Medicaid and SNAP, boost border security, and lift the debt ceiling. It's a sweeping conservative package that could redefine federal spending and social programs for a decade. Passing it would mark a major political win for Trump before July 4, but failure would expose serious cracks in GOP unity and derail his legislative momentum.Speaker Mike Johnson is keeping the vote open 'as long as it takes' to flip dissenters and push Trump's signature bill forward.The standoff has laid bare deep GOP divisions, turning a key agenda vote into a test of party unity.