Republican Rips Key Vote on Trump Bill as 'Power Move'
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Republican Representative Keith Self of Texas ripped a procedural vote taking place on the much-debated financial package dubbed the "big, beautiful bill" by President Donald Trump Wednesday night, saying he's a "no," as more talks are vital.
Newsweek reached out to House Speaker Mike Johnson's office via email for comment.
Why It Matters
The attempted passage of Trump's fiscal initiative—the centerpiece of his legislative efforts—agonized party traditionalists and grassroots activists who have long campaigned on promises of fiscal restraint.
Clashes over the bill also underscore significant fractures within the Republican Party as it aims to hold control of Congress amid mounting pressure from both establishment leaders and populist outsiders.
The outcome of the final House vote on the bill will ultimately determine whether Trump's comprehensive policy package—including tax cuts, border security initiatives, and major spending realignments—becomes law, shaping his legacy and affecting millions of Americans.
GOP Representative Keith Self of Texas is pictured as the House votes on a speaker during the first day of the 119th Congress, in the U.S. Capitol on January 3 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by...
GOP Representative Keith Self of Texas is pictured as the House votes on a speaker during the first day of the 119th Congress, in the U.S. Capitol on January 3 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by) More
What To Know
According to PBS NewsHour Correspondent Lisa Desjardins on X, formerly Twitter, Self said while speaking to Newsmax that the procedural vote late Wednesday night is a "power move," adding its "a pressure move," as lawmakers "are still in the middle" of critical negotiations and compromise.
Self posted on X Wednesday night during the procedural vote, writing, "I came to Washington to help rein in our national debt. In negotiations with House leadership, commitments were made to ensure the One Big Beautiful Bill would include key provisions, such as:
- Matching every $1 of tax cuts with $1 of spending cuts.
- Terminating Biden's Green New Scam.
- Prohibiting taxpayer-funded experimental gender transition procedures."
The Texas lawmaker added, "Senate broke the House framework, and then they stomped all over it. Now, House leadership wants to cram this broken bill down our throats by rushing it to the floor while in the middle of discussions, completely disregarding their promises."
"The only way of making this right is by leadership adhering to their commitments and restoring, at a minimum, these three important issues from the House version," Self added. "While honoring one's commitment may be a rare commodity in Washington, each member of Congress is obligated to return home and explain their actions to the constituents they serve."
Concluding, Self said, "Ultimately, this is an issue of morality. Abiding by our word is the only thing we have; therefore, as the bill currently stands, I voted against the rule. We have an incredibly rare opportunity to extend President Trump's tax cuts, begin restoring fiscal sanity by reducing spending to pre-COVID numbers and truly leave our country better than we found it."
As House margins are razor thin, Republicans can only afford to lose three votes if all Democrats vote no, as expected. NBC News reports that lawmakers can switch their votes up until the last moment.
With the GOP's narrow majority and key defections among both fiscal conservatives and moderates, the bill's fate reflects broader fractures inside the party over fiscal strategy and social spending.
As the July Fourth self-imposed deadline by Trump looms, failure to pass the legislation could stall the president's second-term agenda and fuel ongoing leadership debates within the party.
What People Are Saying
Trump posted to Truth Social on Wednesday: "It looks like the House is ready to vote tonight. We had GREAT conversations all day, and the Republican House Majority is UNITED, for the Good of our Country, delivering the Biggest Tax Cuts in History and MASSIVE Growth. Let's go Republicans, and everyone else - MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!"
Johnson, on X before the key vote: "President Trump KEPT HIS PROMISE to secure the border. Now Congress MUST do its part. The only way we keep the border secure and the American people safe is by passing the One Big Beautiful Bill. @HouseGOP, time to get it done."
Vice President JD Vance posted to X on Wednesday: "The Big Beautiful Bill gives the president the resources and the power to undo the Biden border invasion. It must pass."
What Happens Next
The bill's fate remains uncertain Wednesday night, as the House is divided on the legislation. Should the bill pass, it would mark a major victory for Trump's policy agenda; if it fails, internal party strife and questions over leadership authority are likely to intensify, analysts speculate.
If the procedural vote passes, Republicans can then debate the bill and bring it to the floor for a final vote.
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