House Republicans narrowly passed their budget blueprint for this year’s reconciliation legislation in a 216 to 214 vote on Thursday, narrowly averting a revolt from fiscal conservatives and clearing the path for President Donald Trump’s sweeping legislative agenda.
The razor-thin vote followed days of tense negotiations, with House GOP leaders postponing an expected vote Wednesday evening and conducting a series of closed-door meetings to secure support. More than a dozen fiscal hawks withheld their backing until the final hours, demanding stronger commitments on spending cuts, according to National Review.
“It is time for us to act so that we can get on with the real work,” said Representative Kevin Hern (R., Okla.) on the House floor. “In passing this budget framework, we are unlocking the process to deliver on unleashing American energy production, permanently securing our southern and northern borders, and making tax cuts permanent for small businesses and working families.”
Thursday’s vote gives the green light to move forward on President Trump’s proposed reconciliation package—referred to by Trump as his “one big, beautiful bill.” The use of budget reconciliation allows Republicans to bypass the Senate’s 60-vote filibuster threshold and pass legislation with a simple majority.
National Review writes that the success in aligning both chambers around an identical budget resolution marks a significant victory for Speaker Johnson, who managed to unify a deeply divided Republican caucus. Johnson’s ability to secure passage highlights his growing influence and leadership within the party’s narrow majority.
Only two Republicans—Representatives Victoria Spartz (R., Ind.) and Thomas Massie (R., Ky.)—voted against the measure, siding with a unified Democratic caucus in opposition. Holdouts who eventually voted yes said they did so only after receiving reassurances from GOP leadership that the final bill would contain deeper spending cuts than the current blueprint proposes.
The legislative package Republicans aim to push through will focus on four key areas: tax cuts, border security, defense, and energy policy.
