A group of reluctant House Republicans have finally agreed to support President Donald Trump’s agenda, allowing the bill to move forward to a full House vote after days of threatening to block it. This shift puts the legislation on course for final approval.
Among those who changed their stance were some conservative hardliners concerned about the bill adding $3.3 trillion to the deficit over the next decade, as well as moderate Republicans worried about Medicaid cuts.
In the early hours of Thursday, the House passed a key procedural vote to advance the bill by 219 to 213, with only one Republican, Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, voting against it. GOP leaders had kept the vote open for several hours to persuade holdouts to switch to “yes.”
While final passage isn’t guaranteed yet, GOP leadership is confident they have enough support for the full vote, expected later Thursday morning. The exact timing remains flexible.
Trump and his team have worked closely with Republican leaders on Capitol Hill, promising to bring holdout members on board. They spent much of the day in meetings at the White House addressing concerns from skeptical Republicans about the Senate-approved version of the package.
During a meeting with centrist Republicans, Trump maintained a cordial tone. The White House enlisted Dr. Mehmet Oz, head of the agency overseeing Medicaid, to explain the bill’s provisions affecting hospitals and provider taxes, especially in rural districts. Trump and Vice President JD Vance also participated, helping convince members to support the bill.
Rep. Dusty Johnson of South Dakota, returning from the White House meeting, said the discussions were making a big difference and members were moving toward approval.
House Majority Whip Steve Scalise highlighted Trump’s role as a key dealmaker, saying the president has been “our best closer” since day one and will continue to be through the final vote.
Both Trump and Johnson emphasized the urgency of passing the bill so Trump can sign it before the Fourth of July holiday, leaving little time for further negotiations. The Republicans can afford to lose only three votes in the full House.
This week marks a critical moment for Trump’s second term, with intense GOP infighting casting uncertainty over how the bill will affect the 2026 midterm elections.
If passed, Trump and his allies believe the legislation will solidify his legacy on border security and tax reform, including campaign promises to eliminate taxes on tips and overtime, while imposing work requirements on Medicaid and SNAP recipients to reduce federal spending.
White House talks were ongoing midday Wednesday, but some conservatives remained determined to push for changes to the Senate bill — demands Trump and Johnson were unwilling to meet.
Texas Republican Rep. Chip Roy, a vocal critic, expressed frustration with the process, saying, “We need more spending restraint,” and insisting that the Senate should not have the final say on the bill.
