Two Republican lawmakers defied intense pressure from their party and President Donald Trump by voting against his massive tax and spending package, dubbed the “one big, beautiful bill.” Reps. Thomas Massie (KY) and Warren Davidson (OH) joined Democrats in opposition, citing concerns over the bill’s impact on the national deficit.
The White House didn’t take the dissent lightly. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump would support primary challengers to both lawmakers. “I don’t think he likes to see grandstanders in Congress,” she said Thursday. “Republicans like Thomas Massie and others should take note.”
Despite projections that the bill could add to the deficit over the next decade, GOP leaders argued it would ultimately reduce red ink through economic growth, deregulation, and new tariff revenue. They also touted historic spending cuts exceeding $1.5 trillion over 10 years.
Most members of the House Freedom Caucus supported the bill after negotiating key concessions. These included Medicaid work requirements, cutting green energy tax credits, and restricting Medicaid funds from covering sex-change procedures. HFC Chair Andy Harris voted “present.”
But Massie stood firm. “This bill is a debt bomb ticking,” he warned on the House floor. “I’d love to tell the American people we can cut your taxes and increase spending, and everything’s fine—but I can’t.”
Davidson echoed the warning. “While I love many things in the bill…this bill grows [deficits] now,” he posted on X. “The only Congress we can control is the one we’re in.”
Rep. Chip Roy, who helped negotiate the bill’s spending cuts, praised their stance. “History may bear out that Warren and Thomas were the wise men in this course,” he told Politico.
Senate Republicans are split. Some, like Sen. Ron Johnson (WI), are calling for even deeper cuts. “It should be D-O-A. We shouldn’t even be talking about this bill,” he said.
Trump, meanwhile, urged the Senate to act fast. “There is no time to waste,” he posted on Truth Social after the House vote.