House Speaker tries to reign in GOP rebels as Trump's battle to pass Big Beautiful Bill hits crucial hurdle: Live updates
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By MELISSA KOENIG FOR DAILYMAIL.COM
Updated:
House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson is trying to reign in Republican rebels in an overnight mission to pass President Donald Trump's spending bill.
The House speaker and other GOP leaders were working Wednesday night to whip members to back a key procedural vote on the Big Beautiful Bill.
They are now planning to keep the vote open as long as it takes to get enough 'yes' votes to advance the legislation - which narrowly squeaked through the US Senate on Tuesday.
Members of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, though, have raised concerns about the Senate's version of Trump's flagship domestic policy agenda - arguing that it does not go far enough to shrink the size of the government.
They have expressed doubts over the bill's increased spending levels, provisions allowing government benefits for some illegal immigrants and funding for Biden-era renewable energy policies.
But Johnson just needs four more votes to advance the measure. Once that is completed, he plans to hold a vote on the bill itself as quickly as possible.
The goal is to get it to the president's desk by the July 4 holiday on Friday.
House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson is trying toreign in Republican rebels in an effort to pass President Donald Trump's spending bill.
The House speaker and other GOP leaders are working to whip members to back a key procedural vote on the Big Beautiful Bill.
The goal is to get the bill to Trump's desk by the July 4 holiday, but it still remains unclear whether House Republicans have enough support to get the bill passed.
It had squeaked through the Senate on Tuesday and some Republican House members now want to spend more time reviewing the Senate's changes to the bill before they approve it.
Members of the conservative House Freedom Caucus (HFC) have raised concerns that the Senate's version of Trump's flagship domestic policy agenda does not go far enough to shrink the size of the government.
They have expressed doubts over the bill's increased spending levels, provisions allowing government benefits for some illegal immigrants and funding for Biden-era renewable energy policies.
Rep. Andy Harris, chair of the HFC, told Politico he remained opposed to the legislation and said it was incumbent on Republican senators to come back to the negotiating table to finish the job.
Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., has also firmly and consistently said he will vote against the bill.
If more than three Republicans vote against the measure, it will fail.
Rep. Thomas Massie votes 'no'
Rep. Thomas Massie, of Kentucky, has become the fifth lawmaker to vote against the procedural measure to approve the Big Beautiful Bill.
He has been firmly against the legislation, and has previously drawn the ire of President Donald Trump for his opposition to the bill.
Sen. Rand Paul stands behind holdouts
Sen. Rand Paul appeared to stand behind the conservative House Republicans who are voting against advancing the bill.
In a post on social media, he wrote that he has been 'encouraging' his colleagues in the House 'to add “real savings” to Big Not So Beautiful Bill.'
He also said he reaffirmed 'that I can vote to allow a larger increase in debt ceiling if House attaches immediate REAL spending cuts.'
The four holdouts
Four Republicans have voted 'no' on passing the Big Beautiful Bill, but can change their mind as long as the vote remains open.
Rep. Andrew Clyde, a Georgia Republican who has expressed concern that the Senate version removed a measure that would have eliminated a registration requirement and fee for firearms silencers
Rep. Victoria Spartz, a fiscal conservative from Indiana
Rep. Keith Self, a Texas Republican who is part of the Freedom Caucus
Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, a centrist from Pennsylvania who opposed the appeal of the Affordable Care Act
House Speaker Mike Johnson would have to flip at least one of these representatives to get the bill passed.
Johnson to keep vote open 'as long as it takes'
House Speaker Mike Johnson told Fox News' Sean Hannity that he is planning to keep the procedural vote open for 'as long as it takes' to convert the holdouts.
'I think they're open for conversation,' Johnson said of the four Republican lawmakers who voted 'no' on the bill.
'Everybody wants to deliver this agenda for the people, and we're going to give them every opportunity to do that.'
Members of the House can change their vote up until Johnson declares that the vote is closed.
Trump expresses optimism about bill's approval
President Donald Trump had earlier expressed optimism about the bill getting passed in the House of Representatives.
In a post on his Truth Social page, the president said he 'had GREAT conversations all day, and the Republican House Majority is UNITED, for the Good of our Country, delivering the Biggest Tax Cuts in History and MASSIVE Growth.
'Let’s go Republicans, and everyone else - MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN,' he wrote.
Vice President Vance declares Big Beautiful Bill 'must pass'
Vice President JD Vance put pressure on Republican lawmakers Wednesday night saying the Big Beautiful Bill 'must pass.'
'The Big Beautiful Bill gives the president the resources and the power to undo the Biden border invasion,' he wrote on X.
'Get this done' White House Press Secretary urges
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt urged Republicans to 'get this done' in a social media post outlining what the Big Beautiful Bill entails.
'This wish list becomes REALITY when Republicans vote YES on the One Big Beautiful Bill,' she said.
Trump hits out at Big Beautiful Bill critic Jamie Raskin
As Republicans work to whip up enough vots to pass the Big Beautiful Bill, President Donald Trump took to his Truth Social page to hit out at critic Rep. Jamie Raskin, whom he called a 'third rate Democrat politician.'
Trump said Raskin, of Maryland, 'has no idea what is in our fantastic Tax Cut Bill, nor would he understand it if he did.
'This DOPE has been consistently losing to me for YEARS, and I love watching his ugly face as he is forced to consistently concede DEFEAT TO TRUMP — And tonight should be another of those nights. Raskin is a bad politician, and a TOTAL LOSER!'
