A historic House vote stretched into the night Wednesday, stalling President Trump’s flagship economic bill as GOP leadership scrambled to hold the line. The legislation — dubbed the “Big, Beautiful Bill” — is the cornerstone of Trump’s effort to extend and expand the 2017 tax cuts that supercharged the American economy.
But after a record-breaking day of delays and backroom negotiations, House Republicans hit a procedural snag, leaving the bill’s fate hanging by a thread.
Five GOP Holdouts Block Progress
After the longest vote in House history earlier in the day, the vote to advance the rule for final passage was thrown into disarray when five Republicans joined all 212 Democrats to stall the measure.
The GOP nays:
- Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-GA)
- Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA)
- Rep. Victoria Spartz (R-IN)
- Rep. Keith Self (R-TX)
- Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), who flipped his vote mid-process
Meanwhile, eight GOP members had yet to vote, leaving Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) with the tall task of flipping at least two of the nays and securing the full support of the holdouts to move forward.
As the night dragged on, Republican leadership worked feverishly behind closed doors. Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought, Trump’s Deputy Chief of Staff James Blair, and Legislative Affairs Director James Braid were among those on Capitol Hill, trying to rally support.
Sources told The Daily Wire and National Review that the day’s holdup wasn’t just about policy—it was about trust. Many Republicans had reservations about the Senate’s version of the bill. But after in-person meetings with President Trump at the White House, momentum began to shift.
“A lot of information that we found out we did not know,” Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC) said after meeting with the group. “And I think anybody in here will tell you the same thing.”
What’s at stake? Trump’s signature Independence Day bill signing ceremony could be derailed if House Democrats succeed in delaying final passage until the holiday. That task now lies in the hands of House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), who can use a parliamentary trick known as the “magic minute” to speak at length before the final vote.
Though reports suggest Jeffries plans to speak for just an hour, he could go full filibuster, stretching his remarks for hours to sabotage the optics of a July 4 victory lap for Trump.
Such a move would only be possible if Republican defectors leave the door open. And President Trump is already warning the consequences.
Posting in all caps on Truth Social early Thursday, Trump made his frustration crystal clear:
“Largest Tax Cuts in History and a Booming Economy vs. Biggest Tax Increase in History, and a Failed Economy. What are the Republicans waiting for??? What are you trying to prove??? MAGA IS NOT HAPPY, AND IT’S COSTING YOU VOTES!!!”
And again:
“FOR REPUBLICANS, THIS SHOULD BE AN EASY YES VOTE. RIDICULOUS!!!”
The bill represents more than just a tax policy tweak. It’s about economic freedom, shrinking Washington’s reach, and helping hardworking families and small business owners keep more of what they earn. It’s also a clear line in the sand between Trump’s America First vision and the Democrats’ bloated, tax-hiking agenda.
If the rule passes overnight, debate will resume with Jeffries’ “magic minute” likely kicking off Thursday. After that, a vote on final passage could come swiftly.
But as every hour ticks by, the coalition backing Trump’s economic revival bill grows more fragile — and Republicans risking obstruction may find themselves on the wrong side of Trump’s memory and the MAGA base.
House Republicans are at a crossroads: stand firm for working Americans — or risk derailing one of the most important conservative victories in a generation.
