Trump Struggles to Win Over House GOP as Major Tax Break and Spending Cut Bill Stalls
Former President Donald Trump’s push for a sweeping legislative package featuring extensive tax breaks and significant spending cuts has hit a major roadblock in the U.S. House of Representatives. Despite Trump’s efforts to rally support among Republican lawmakers, a substantial group of GOP holdouts continues to resist backing the proposal, leaving the bill in limbo.
Trump, who has remained a dominant figure in Republican politics, touted the measure as a “big” legislative win that would deliver key economic benefits while advancing fiscal conservatism. However, the bill’s failure to gain broad GOP backing highlights ongoing fractures within the Republican caucus, particularly between hardline fiscal conservatives and Trump-aligned lawmakers.
The legislation, which aimed to deliver tax relief to individuals and businesses while slashing federal spending in various departments, was expected to be a cornerstone of the GOP’s economic agenda ahead of the 2024 election. But despite Trump’s vocal endorsements and behind-the-scenes lobbying, many Republicans in the House remain unconvinced.
Sources close to GOP leadership say concerns over the bill’s long-term fiscal impact, its effect on the federal deficit, and the rushed nature of the proposal have left many lawmakers hesitant. Some representatives from swing districts are also wary of backing a controversial measure that could be weaponized by Democrats during the election season.
In private meetings and public statements, Trump has attempted to frame the legislation as a return to “America First” economic policies, urging lawmakers to unite behind it to demonstrate Republican strength and unity. However, his influence—though still formidable—has proven insufficient in this instance to overcome internal disagreements and procedural hurdles.
House Speaker Mike Johnson has so far refrained from forcing a vote on the bill, acknowledging the division within the party and expressing a desire to build a stronger consensus before moving forward. This delay casts doubt on whether the bill can advance at all in its current form.
Meanwhile, Democrats have seized on the disarray, labeling the stalled bill as evidence of Republican dysfunction and a lack of coherent economic leadership. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries criticized the proposal as “fiscally irresponsible” and “deeply unpopular with the American public.”
With time running short on the legislative calendar and GOP divisions persisting, the fate of Trump’s “big” bill remains uncertain. The setback raises questions about his legislative sway in Washington and whether Republicans can coalesce around a unified economic message heading into a high-stakes election year.
Source : Swifteradio.com