GOP Leaders Launch Their Last-Ditch Megabill Whip Job/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ House Republicans scramble for votes to pass Trump’s sweeping tax and spending bill, with President Trump personally lobbying lawmakers at the White House. GOP leaders fear delays could derail the megabill, which faces resistance over deficit and Medicaid cuts. Meanwhile, Democrats slam the plan as harmful to vulnerable Americans.
Quick Look Trump’s Mega Bill
- Trump demands House passage of massive tax bill by July 4
- GOP leaders scramble votes amid Medicaid and deficit concerns
- House procedural hurdles and weather delays complicate timeline
- Democrats call bill a giveaway to the wealthy, vow resistance
- Trump touts bill as key to economic growth
- Lawmakers still reviewing 887-page Senate-passed legislation
- Johnson refuses changes that could prolong negotiations
- Final House vote could come as soon as Wednesday
GOP Leaders Scramble for Last Votes to Pass Trump’s Mega Bill
Deep Look
WASHINGTON — With the clock ticking down, House Republican leaders and White House officials mounted an urgent lobbying blitz Wednesday to secure enough support to pass President Donald Trump’s massive tax and spending bill — and deliver it to his desk before his self-imposed July 4 deadline.
President Trump was meeting with groups of House Republicans throughout the day, including moderates and members of the conservative Freedom Caucus, as Speaker Mike Johnson worked to bridge divides across his conference.
Republican leaders were racing to move the bill swiftly through the House, aware that any significant delay could empower internal dissenters. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise said he still expected a final vote “sometime today.”
But cracks in GOP unity persisted. Multiple lawmakers said they were still reviewing the Senate-passed, 887-page legislation.
“I’m still looking at it,” said Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.), who has voiced concerns about Medicaid cuts. Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.), a Freedom Caucus stalwart, said he was “still thinking about it.”
GOP leaders faced the challenge of losing no more than four votes in a full House vote. “If there’s four [no votes], there’s going to be 20 — and it’s going to be a jailbreak,” one House Republican, speaking anonymously, warned.
On Wednesday morning, Johnson acknowledged the uncertainty. “We’re working on all that right now,” he said.
Republicans managed to eke out a razor-thin procedural victory, 212-211, to keep the bill alive. But more critical votes loomed.
Trump, Vice President JD Vance and other administration officials intensified public pressure this week, seeking to persuade wary members.
Trump praised the bill on Truth Social, claiming it would spur historic economic growth: “Our Country will make a fortune this year … but only if the Big, Beautiful Bill is PASSED!”
The White House has tried to downplay concerns about the bill’s projected impact on the federal deficit, arguing that growth spurred by the tax cuts will offset costs.
Still, divisions remained, particularly over cuts to Medicaid and other social safety net programs. The Senate version deepened certain reductions, including limits on medical provider taxes — a financing method states rely on for Medicaid funding. Some Republicans worried about those provisions traveled to the White House on Wednesday for talks with Trump.
Johnson, meanwhile, has rejected making changes to the Senate-passed bill, warning it would force lengthy negotiations and jeopardize Trump’s timeline. He has floated the possibility of separate party-line bills later in the session to address lingering concerns.
“We’re working through everybody’s concerns and letting them know this is the best possible product we can produce,” Johnson said Wednesday.
Adding another layer of complication was severe weather across the mid-Atlantic, which grounded flights and delayed lawmakers returning to Washington. Johnson admitted he was “worried about flights” and said schedules could slip.
Democrats, determined to slow the bill’s advance, hinted at procedural moves to stall debate. Despite travel headaches, Minority Whip Katherine Clark (D-Mass.) expressed confidence her members would arrive in time.
“Mother Nature’s not cooperating, but people are going to be here,” Clark said.
Meanwhile, Democrats continued to hammer the bill as a giveaway to the wealthy that would strip benefits from vulnerable Americans.
“This is robbery,” declared Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.). “It is cowardly, it is a betrayal of everything this country is supposed to stand for.”
But Republicans countered that the legislation was essential to cementing Trump’s 2017 tax cuts and giving families relief.
“This isn’t extreme, it’s not partisan — it’s proven policy,” said Rep. Nick Langworthy (R-N.Y.).
As Trump met with lawmakers behind closed doors, the outcome of the GOP’s high-stakes megabill remained uncertain heading into the holiday weekend.
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