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The ambitious legislative plan of president Donald Trump, which he himself dubbed the "great and beautiful bill," failed to progress this Friday in the House Budget Committee due to an unexpected rebellion from several key Republicans.
The proposal, an extensive legislative piece that encompasses policies from 11 different committees, aimed to advance priority issues for Trump, including immigration, taxes, energy, defense, debt limits, and tightening requirements for Medicaid, cited Fox News.
However, five Republican votes against it prevented its approval, marking a significant setback for the leaders of the Republican Party in the House, who had planned to submit the measure for a general vote next week.
Among the dissenters were representatives Chip Roy (Texas), Josh Brecheen (Oklahoma), Andrew Clyde (Georgia), and Ralph Norman (South Carolina). Representative Lloyd Smucker (Pennsylvania) also switched his vote to "no," though strategically to allow the bill to be reconsidered.
"Only in Washington do we expect to bet that everything will work in five years," declared Chip Roy during the debate. "We need to change the direction of this city. That includes addressing Medicaid."
The rebellious Republicans, members of the influential Freedom Caucus, expressed frustration that the restrictions on Medicaid would not take effect until 2029, and criticized the green energy subsidies inherited from the Biden administration, which the bill only eliminates gradually.
"The work requirements for Medicaid must start NOW, not in 2029, and the green scam must be completely repealed, as President Trump requested," Roy wrote on X (formerly Twitter) after the vote.
The tension was palpable in the halls of the Capitol. In fact, one of the members, Representative Brandon Gill (Texas), surprised everyone by arriving from his home despite being on leave for the birth of his newborn son, hoping to tip the scales in favor of the bill. Even so, it wasn't enough.
Trump, from his social network Truth Social, criticized his opponents, labeling them as "attention seekers," and called on Republicans to unite behind the project. However, his message failed to change the stance of the dissenters, partly because Trump was still out of the country, returning from a diplomatic tour in the Middle East.
The Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson (R-La.), remains determined to advance the bill through the budget reconciliation process, a tool that allows fiscal and spending legislation to be approved with only a simple majority in the Senate, thereby circumventing the filibuster from the Democratic opposition.
Johnson wants the text to be approved in the House before Memorial Day and to be coordinated with the Senate to reach Trump's desk before July 4th. But with the exposed internal divisions, the path will not be easy.
The committee could meet again this Monday to try to save the legislation. If successful, the bill would move to the Rules Committee before reaching the full House for a final vote.
For now, the future of the "great and beautiful project" remains in limbo, subject to internal negotiations and the delicate balance of power within the Republican Party itself.
Frequently asked questions about Congress's rejection of Trump's project.
Why was Trump's "great and beautiful bill" rejected in Congress?
The bill was rejected in the House Budget Committee due to opposition from several key Republicans. Five Republican votes against it prevented its approval, highlighting internal divisions within the Republican Party. The dissenters criticized that Medicaid restrictions would not take effect until 2029 and called for a complete repeal of subsidies for green energy.
What were the main topics covered by Trump's proposed legislation?
The Trump bill, referred to as the "great and beautiful bill," covered a variety of priority topics for his administration. It included policies on immigration, taxes, energy, defense, and debt limits, as well as proposing stricter requirements for Medicaid and a gradual elimination of subsidies for green energy.
Who were the Republicans who opposed Trump's project?
Among the Republicans who voted against Trump's plan are representatives from the influential Freedom Caucus. The dissenters included Chip Roy (Texas), Josh Brecheen (Oklahoma), Andrew Clyde (Georgia), and Ralph Norman (South Carolina). Lloyd Smucker (Pennsylvania) also strategically changed his vote to "no."
What is the next step for the "great and beautiful bill" after its initial rejection?
Despite the rejection by the Budget Committee, the House Speaker, Mike Johnson, remains committed to moving forward with the project. The committee is expected to meet again to try to salvage the legislation and, if an agreement is reached, it will go to the Rules Committee before being presented to the full House for a final vote.
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