The efforts of House Republicans to push forward the reconciliation package have encountered an obstacle: The bill did not progress beyond the Budget Committee on Friday.
The reconciliation bill was unable to advance out of the committee, with a vote of 21-16. Five GOP members voted against it: Roy, Norman, Clyde, Brecheen, and Smucker.
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) May 16, 2025
It was anticipated to be a tight vote. With Representative Brandon Gill (R-TX) absent due to paternity leave, the numbers indicated that just two negative votes could derail the bill.
Two nos tanks it.
21R
16D
Gill, an R, is out.
20R
16D
So two nos makes it 18-18. That fails. https://t.co/ekYlN7f3ny
— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) May 15, 2025
In the end, there were five Republican no votes:
- Josh Breechen (OK)
- Andrew Clyde (GA)
- Ralph Norman (SC)
- Chip Roy (TX)
- Lloyd Smucker (PA)
Smucker apparently changed his vote from yes to no, but even had he not, that would not have been enough to advance it.
Earlier on Friday, President Donald Trump signaled his support for the measure, writing on Truth Social:
Donald J. Trump Truth Social 05.16.25 10:07 AM EST pic.twitter.com/o7gHoqdIeX
— Commentary Donald J. Trump Posts From Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) May 16, 2025
Republicans MUST UNITE behind, “THE ONE, BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL!” Not only does it cut Taxes for ALL Americans, but it will kick millions of Illegal Aliens off of Medicaid to PROTECT it for those who are the ones in real need. The Country will suffer greatly without this Legislation, with their Taxes going up 65%. It will be blamed on the Democrats, but that doesn’t help our Voters. We don’t need “GRANDSTANDERS” in the Republican Party. STOP TALKING, AND GET IT DONE! It is time to fix the MESS that Biden and the Democrats gave us. Thank you for your attention to this matter!
But that apparently was not enough to rally the troops.
There is, however, a slight twist. It appears Rep. Smucker may have switched his “yes” vote to a “no” for strategic purposes:
From colleague Kelly Phares. GOP PA Rep Smucker originally voted yes. But switched to no on the budget package in cmte. That we he can ask for a revote. You must be on the prevailing side of the issue. So in this case, the nays. Therefore, this would allow the cmte to take a…
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) May 16, 2025
From colleague Kelly Phares. GOP PA Rep Smucker originally voted yes. But switched to no on the budget package in cmte. That we he can ask for a revote. You must be on the prevailing side of the issue. So in this case, the nays. Therefore, this would allow the cmte to take a revote next week if they can get answers to their lingering questions
So, they may well regroup and give it another go next week.
This is a developing story. RedState will provide further updates as they become available.
