A major Republican spending bill is in jeopardy due to internal GOP opposition in the House Budget Committee. With several conservative members pledging to vote against it over transparency and cost concerns, the Friday vote is uncertain. This could delay Speaker Mike Johnson’s goal of a floor vote by Memorial Day.
GOP’s Megabill Faces Internal Resistance
A high-stakes Republican megabill, packed with tax cuts, border security investments, and energy policy reforms, is at risk of stalling in the House Budget Committee. The planned vote for Friday is uncertain as at least three conservative committee members—Reps. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.), Josh Brecheen (R-Okla.), and Chip Roy (R-Texas)—have publicly opposed the legislation.
Transparency Concerns from Conservative Members
Hard-line Republicans have raised significant transparency issues, particularly regarding the bill’s financial impact. A briefing by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) revealed that cost estimates for a key portion of the bill—overseen by the Energy and Commerce Committee—won’t be available until early next week. This has fueled skepticism among members who argue that the bill’s implications, especially concerning Medicaid reforms, remain unclear.
Medicaid Overhaul Draws Scrutiny
The proposed Medicaid overhaul has emerged as a key point of contention. Conservatives fear that changes in state-level Medicaid funding could inadvertently motivate non-expansion states to broaden coverage. CBO officials acknowledged this risk, which may be reflected in their forthcoming economic modeling.
Leadership Pushes Forward Despite Objections
Despite mounting concerns, House Speaker Mike Johnson remains committed to moving the bill forward. He expressed confidence that the Budget Committee markup would proceed as planned on Friday, even as some members like Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-Ga.) are expected to vote “no,” and others like Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-Wis.) remain undecided.
Speaker Johnson’s Deadline in Jeopardy
Johnson has set a deadline to bring the bill to a floor vote by Memorial Day. However, the internal GOP disagreements and the absence of finalized CBO data pose a serious challenge to meeting that goal. Johnson continues private discussions with dissenting members to salvage consensus.
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