In a narrow and hard-fought victory, the U.S. House of Representatives approved a multitrillion-dollar budget blueprint on Tuesday, advancing former President Donald Trump’s legislative agenda and marking a significant win for Speaker Mike Johnson. The final vote was 217-215, with all Republicans except Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky voting in favor, while all Democrats opposed the measure.
The budget resolution, a key step in the reconciliation process, outlines $4.5 trillion in tax cuts and aims for $2 trillion in spending reductions. It also includes over $100 billion in new spending for immigration enforcement and the military, while requiring the House Energy and Commerce Committee to identify $880 billion in cuts to federal programs, potentially targeting Medicaid. Additionally, the plan raises the debt ceiling by $4 trillion.
The vote followed intense negotiations and lobbying efforts, with Speaker Johnson hosting multiple meetings to sway GOP holdouts and Trump personally calling several lawmakers to secure their support. Three conservative Republicans—Reps. Tim Burchett of Tennessee, Victoria Spartz of Indiana, and Warren Davidson of Ohio—initially opposed the budget but ultimately flipped their votes. Burchett cited Trump’s assurance of pursuing spending cuts as a factor in his decision, stating, “He’s never lied to me.”
The vote was marked by dramatic moments, including a brief cancellation and subsequent reinstatement of the vote, which left lawmakers scrambling back to the floor. Majority Leader Steve Scalise credited Trump with playing a pivotal role in persuading holdouts, calling him an “incredible ally” in the process.
The House’s approval of the budget blueprint shifts focus to the Senate, where the measure faces an uncertain future. Despite the Senate having passed its own version of the budget last week, Trump’s endorsement of the House plan increases pressure on the upper chamber to align with the House’s framework.
This development underscores the ongoing influence of Trump’s agenda within the Republican Party and highlights the challenges of navigating a deeply divided Congress. The budget plan’s passage represents a critical step in advancing Trump’s policy priorities, but its ultimate success will depend on bipartisan cooperation and further legislative maneuvering.
