House Freedom Caucus Threatens Stall on Trump Tax, Spending Bill

Hardline conservatives in the House Freedom Caucus are pushing back against Republican leaders and President Trump's sweeping tax and spending bill, seeking deeper cuts to Medicaid and faster repeal of clean energy tax credits. Freedom Caucus Chairman Andy Harris expressed skepticism about meeting the planned vote deadline, emphasizing the complexity of the negotiations and suggesting the bill could be improved with more time to address their concerns. Several members, including Reps. Josh Brecheen, Chip Roy, Andrew Clyde, and Ralph Norman, have signaled their opposition by voting against the bill or abstaining, indicating frustration with party leadership and the pace of the process. Despite a late White House proposal addressing some conservative demands, the group remains unconvinced that a deal can be finalized quickly, urging GOP leaders to delay the vote beyond the Memorial Day recess. President Trump plans to personally advocate for the bill in a Capitol Hill meeting, but key conservatives remain unmoved, prioritizing fiscal restraint over a rushed legislative timeline. The internal GOP conflict underscores ongoing tensions within the party over spending priorities and legislative strategy.