GOP Infighting Derails Trump’s Tax Reform Blitz
President Donald Trump’s most ambitious legislative push of his second term—the “One Big, Beautiful Bill”—has hit a major roadblock after five House Republicans broke ranks, dooming the package in a pivotal committee vote.
The 389-page tax reform bill, crafted to expand on the 2017 Trump Tax Cuts and deliver sweeping relief for working families, small businesses, and tipped wage earners, failed in the House Budget Committee by a vote of 16-21.
What Was in the Bill?
The proposed legislation included:
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Zero taxes on tips and overtime
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Elimination of green energy tax giveaways
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Expanded child tax credits
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Medicaid reforms removing coverage for illegal immigrants
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Incentives for reshoring U.S. manufacturing
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Permanent tax relief for middle-income Americans
It was billed by supporters as the boldest pro-growth tax agenda since Reagan.
But critics—from Trump’s own party—argued the bill delivered tax cuts up front while deferring key spending reforms. Concerns over the deficit and timing of Medicaid cuts became sticking points.
The Defectors: Who Tanked Trump’s Agenda?
The five Republican members who voted against the bill in committee are:
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Rep. Andrew Clyde (GA)
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Rep. Chip Roy (TX)
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Rep. Josh Brecheen (OK)
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Rep. Ralph Norman (SC)
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Rep. Lloyd Smucker (PA)
Their “no” votes effectively killed the bill in committee, blocking it from moving to the full House floor.
Trump Responds: “STOP TALKING, AND GET IT DONE!”
President Trump lashed out at the GOP holdouts in a fiery statement:
“Republicans MUST UNITE behind ‘THE ONE, BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL!’… The Country will suffer greatly without this legislation, with taxes going up 65%. It will be blamed on the Democrats, but that doesn’t help our voters… STOP TALKING, AND GET IT DONE!”
Trump warned that failure to pass the bill would allow the largest tax increase in U.S. history to take effect—an economic disaster he says will devastate working-class Americans.
What’s Next?
With the committee adjourned and no immediate path forward, House Republican leadership faces a choice: renegotiate the bill to win over fiscal hawks—or risk political fallout as Democrats capitalize on a stalled Trump agenda.
Meanwhile, markets and voters are watching closely as the tax fight becomes a defining battle of the second Trump term.
Bottom Line: Without unity, the GOP risks handing Democrats a historic tax win—and delivering a crushing blow to one of Trump’s signature America First reforms.