Republicans capitulate on budget post Trump’s loyalty demand
TL/DR –
House Republicans, including the House Freedom Caucus, voted for a controversial budget despite previously criticizing the bill for adding too much to the deficit and making insufficient cuts to Medicaid. The bill, known as “One Big, Beautiful, Bill”, is expected to impact healthcare for millions of Americans, food aid for low-income families, college costs and clean energy investments, all to partially fund tax cuts for the wealthy. The vote followed threats from President Donald Trump of primary challenges against those who voted against the bill, alongside last-minute changes to the bill that further cut Medicaid funding and phased out clean energy tax credits.
The Not-so Brave Republicans on Capitol Hill
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The Trump-led budget bill, described as ‘draconian’ by critics for its Medicaid cuts and deficit addition, has passed in the House. The bill benefits the rich and is detrimental to low-income families and access to food assistance, higher education, and clean energy investments.
Despite initial resistance due to the bill’s potential to explode the deficit, House Republicans reversed their stance after Trump allegedly threatened them with primary challenges.
Members of the House Freedom Caucus voted in favor of the bill, citing last-minute conservative revisions. However, this move only resulted in a bill that adds an estimated $3.8 trillion to the deficit over the next decade, alarming bond investors.
Among the turncoats was Rep. Chip Roy of Texas, who had previously expressed concerns about the bill’s potential damage to the economy.
Other Republicans like Rep. Scott Perry of Pennsylvania and Rep. Tim Burchett of Tennessee followed suit, despite earlier reservations about the ballooning national debt.
Trump’s press secretary Karoline Leavitt has stated that Trump intends to recruit primary challengers against Reps. Thomas Massie and Warren Davidson, the two Republicans who voted against the bill due to deficit concerns.
The controversial bill now moves to the Senate, where Republicans voice similar concerns and opposition to the Medicaid cuts.
Sen. Ron Johnson stated that unlike the House, the Senate would resist Trump’s threats, a sentiment that remains to be seen.
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