Bulwark Takes GOP Hardliners Trash Trump’s Big, Beautiful Bill
May 16, 2025
Donald Trump's ambitious budget bill has unexpectedly flopped due to infighting among Republicans. The chaos within the GOP reveals deep divisions between hardliners and moderates, complicating future legislative efforts. Tensions are high as the Freedom Caucus battles for control, affecting tax policies that favor the wealthy. With deadlines looming, the party faces significant challenges in achieving consensus, raising questions about Trump's agenda moving forward.
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GOP Infighting Crashes Trump's Bill
- Trump's "big beautiful bill" failed in the House Budget Committee due to GOP infighting and diverse faction demands.
- This failure reveals deep fractures in Republican unity despite Trump's usual influence.
Conflicting GOP Goals Hinder Progress
- Different factions want conflicting outcomes: moderates want tax relief for their states while hardliners want deep cuts including to Medicaid.
- Trump's goal for a grand signing spectacle conflicts with these varying priorities, making consensus elusive.
Bill Benefits Rich, Cuts Poorers
- The Republican budget bill heavily favors the wealthy while cutting benefits for low- and middle-income Americans.
- Even hardline Republicans reject the bill as insufficiently severe on cuts to poor people's benefits.