In a high-stakes move, Speaker Mike Johnson and his team pushed forward with a crucial committee vote despite initial doubts about securing the necessary support. The House Budget Committee’s GOP members remained tight-lipped as they gathered, hinting at unresolved negotiations with conservatives who previously opposed the bill. Rep. Ralph Norman acknowledged some progress but remained cautious about the outcome.

However, Rep. Chip Roy, a vocal critic of President Trump’s proposed legislation, signaled his reservations by sharing an analysis of the bill’s deficit impact just before the meeting. The committee’s task was to consolidate various elements of the tax and spending cuts bill, a pivotal step before a full floor vote.

With only a slim margin for dissent, each GOP vote carried significant weight. Rep. Jodey Arrington, the committee chair, could afford only two defections. The potential failure to advance the bill out of the committee would not only signal broader challenges for Speaker Johnson but also delay the House vote on Trump’s ambitious agenda.

The situation intensified as GOP leaders pressed Rep. Brandon Gill to return for the vote, underscoring the vote’s gravity. Throughout the night, Johnson and his team worked to sway conservative holdouts who sought amendments to enhance cost savings, ultimately striving to secure approval for the bill on Friday morning.

Despite calls for a delay and lingering dissent, the committee’s proceedings unfolded dramatically as dissenting members briefly exited the meeting room and sought solace in private discussions. The atmosphere remained tense as lawmakers grappled with the decision, emphasizing the critical juncture faced by Speaker Johnson’s leadership amid internal party divisions.