House Speaker Reveals ‘The Plan’ After Trump’s ‘One Big, Beautiful Bill’ Blocked In Key Vote
House Speaker Mike Johnson is pressing ahead with plans to pass President Donald Trump’s landmark “One Big Beautiful Bill,” despite a temporary setback in the House Budget Committee where a small group of Republican holdouts blocked the measure in a key vote.
The comprehensive legislative package—which includes tax relief, spending cuts, work requirements, and conservative policy overhauls—was stalled after five Republicans raised objections to specific provisions. Chief among the concerns was the timeline for Medicaid work requirements, which some lawmakers argued doesn’t kick in soon enough.
Reps. Chip Roy of Texas and Ralph Norman of South Carolina led the pushback, demanding that the 2029 start date for new Medicaid eligibility rules be moved forward. Speaker Johnson acknowledged the criticism and has signaled a willingness to revise the timeline to bring fiscal conservatives back on board.
Another sticking point emerged over the proposed $30,000 cap on the state and local tax (SALT) deduction. Some GOP members from high-tax states want a higher cap to protect their constituents, while others oppose any carveouts at all. Rep. Nick LaLota of New York floated an alternative—raising the top marginal tax rate on high earners—as a potential way to generate revenue that could fund both an increased SALT cap and preserve Medicaid protections.
Despite the disagreements, Johnson remains confident and determined. He’s announced a plan to reconvene the Budget Committee to incorporate the changes, then move the bill to the Rules Committee by midweek and bring it to the House floor before Memorial Day. “This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to restore fiscal discipline and empower American families,” Johnson said.
President Trump has also weighed in, calling for unity within the Republican ranks. In a post on Truth Social, Trump urged lawmakers not to let perfect be the enemy of good, emphasizing the bill’s major wins—extending the 2017 tax cuts, eliminating taxes on tips and overtime pay, delivering new deductions for seniors, and rolling out pro-energy reforms.
Republican leadership is now working overtime to bridge the gap between conservative hardliners and more moderate members to ensure the bill crosses the finish line. With the Trump administration focused on delivering tangible results in its second term, the success of this legislation is critical—not just for the party’s legislative momentum, but for the broader America First policy agenda.
