Republicans Narrowly Split on Trump Tax, Spending Bill in Senate, House

President Donald Trump's "big, beautiful bill," a sweeping tax and spending package, faced significant opposition within the Republican Party during its passage through Congress. In the House, Representatives Thomas Massie and Brian Fitzpatrick were among the few Republicans who opposed the bill, with Fitzpatrick specifically objecting to the Senate's amendments that he felt weakened protections for Medicaid and social services. The House GOP needed 217 votes to pass the bill but saw several defections, including Fitzpatrick and three other Republicans voting against it. In the Senate, the bill narrowly passed with exactly three Republican defections—Senators Susan Collins, Rand Paul, and Thom Tillis—who opposed the bill due to concerns over its substantial addition to the national debt and insufficient spending cuts. Vice President JD Vance cast the tie-breaking vote, enabling passage despite strong Democratic opposition. The legislative battle highlighted intra-party divisions, with Trump exerting pressure on dissenters and some Republicans, like Rand Paul, maintaining a libertarian stance against increased federal spending.