Monday, February 23, 2026

The ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’ Stalls in Committee Vote.

PULSE POINTS:

What Happened: The House Budget Committee voted down the House budget reconciliation bill, legislation referred to by President Donald J. Trump as the “Big, Beautiful Bill.”

👥 Who’s Involved: The House Budget Committee, Chairman Jodey Arrington (R-TX), Reps. Chip Roy (R-TX), Ralph Norman (R-SC), Andrew Clyde (R-GA), Josh Brecheen (R-OK), and Lloyd Smucker (R-PA), along with the committee’s Democrat members.

📍 Where & When: U.S. House Budget Committee, Friday, May 16, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “Hey, for the members, listen up, I do not anticipate us coming back today. I’ve had some questions; I know most of you are trying to get home. Go home. I’ll let you know this weekend if we’re going to return first thing on Monday. I think that’s the goal at this point,” Chairman Arrington said after the reconciliation bill failed in his committee.

⚠️ Impact: The rejection marks a significant hurdle for Republican House leaders seeking to meet their July 4 deadline for final passage through both legislative chambers.

IN FULL:

On Friday, the House Budget Committee voted down President Donald J. Trump’s proposed budget reconciliation bill, delivering a notable blow to Republican congressional leaders aiming for its final approval by Independence Day. The vote ended 16-21, with five Republicans joining Democrats in opposition to the legislation. The Republican lawmakers voting no were Representatives Chip Roy (R-TX), Ralph Norman (R-SC), Andrew Clyde (R-GA), Josh Brecheen (R-OK), and Lloyd Smucker (R-PA).

“Hey, for the members, listen up, I do not anticipate us coming back today. I’ve had some questions; I know most of you are trying to get home. Go home. I’ll let you know this weekend if we’re going to return first thing on Monday. I think that’s the goal at this point,” Budget Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington (R-TX) told members after the failed vote.

The multitrillion-dollar proposal, which makes the 2017 tax cuts implemented during Trump’s first term in office permanent, has been a point of contention among GOP lawmakers. Members of the House Freedom Caucus have demanded steep cuts to Medicaid, a move that risks voter backlash ahead of the 2026 midterm elections—and provides an avenue for Democrats to potentially regain a modicum of political momentum. Meanwhile, a group of more moderate Republicans from Democrat-controlled states has balked at what they say is too small of an increase in the state and local tax (SALT) deduction.

While the failed committee vote marks a setback for the reconciliation bill’s passage, House leaders remained firm that they’ll be able to move the legislation forward and on to the Senate by Memorial Day. Additionally, President Trump, who returned to the United States after concluding his Middle East tour on Friday, is likely to become increasingly involved in ramping up pressure on House Republicans to pass the budget plan.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

show less

PULSE POINTS:

show more
big tech

Trump’s House Allies Introduce Bill to Repeal Impoundment Control Act to Assist DOGE.

A faction of House Republicans is working to expand President Donald J. Trump’s power over federal spending by repealing the Impoundment Control Act, enacted in 1974 under President Richard Nixon, to limit the executive’s authority in federal budget matters. Representative Andrew Clyde (R-GA) seeks to empower President Trump and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to create a more effective and efficient government.

Clyde’s bill has the backing of over 20 GOP co-sponsors in the House and a corresponding proposal in the Senate led by Senator Mike Lee (R-UT). Russell Vought, who recently assumed the role of Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), has labeled the Impoundment Control Act unconstitutional—a sentiment echoed by Trump himself.

“Since the Empowered Control Act of ‘74, we have seen a tremendous increase in spending. And I think that’s part of the problem right there. The president is required now by law to spend the exact amount that Congress authorizes or appropriates for a specific program,” Clyde noted.

President Nixon had “impounded” money earmarked for various federal programs by Congress—that is, refused to spend it—but the Impoundment Control Act prohibited this practice. This practice undermined the chief executive’s control over the executive branch in a manner that some believe undermines the separation of powers in a constitutionally improper way.

The Trump administration has already moved to halt certain federal funds, including foreign aid, pending reviews. However, parts of his funding freezes have faced legal challenges, resulting in a judge ordering compliance with prior directives to restore funding and threatening the President with contempt.

show less
A faction of House Republicans is working to expand President Donald J. Trump's power over federal spending by repealing the Impoundment Control Act, enacted in 1974 under President Richard Nixon, to limit the executive's authority in federal budget matters. Representative Andrew Clyde (R-GA) seeks to empower President Trump and Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to create a more effective and efficient government. show more
gop budget

GOP Budget Changes Could Push Trump Prosecutions to Post-2024.

Two budget amendments introduced by Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-Ga.) aim to push the two federal and two state prosecutions of former President Donald Trump until after the 2024 presidential election. Clyde says he plans to amend the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies 2024 appropriations bill with language that would “…prohibit the use of federal funding for the prosecution of any major presidential candidate prior to the upcoming presidential election on November 5th, 2024.”

The Georgia Congressman called the four pending prosecutions of Trump “sham indictments”, adding they are “… intended to smear and take down President Trump, as well as hinder his ability to campaign effectively.” Clyde stated that, “One amendment would prevent taxpayer dollars from funding federal prosecutions, while a second would prohibit funding for state prosecutions.”

The upcoming Fall appropriations process will include 12 ‘must pass’ budget bills necessary for funding the functions of the U.S. federal government. Some members of the House Republican Conference view the budget appropriations process as an opportunity to secure the passage of legislative agenda items that would otherwise not pass as stand alone legislation.

Last week the House Freedom Caucus announced their list of demands for House Speaker Kevin McCarthy to include in a government funding stop-gap measure when Congress resumes its legislative session after Labor Day. The legislative items include further reductions in federal spending levels, a House Republican border security bill that would fund border wall construction and place additional limits on asylum seekers, and a vague ask to address the weaponization of the DOJ.

The stop-gap funding bill, in the form of a Continuing Resolution, will be needed to fund the government as Congress is unlikely to pass the twelve appropriations bills to fund the government before the start of the new fiscal year on October 1st.

show less
Two budget amendments introduced by Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-Ga.) aim to push the two federal and two state prosecutions of former President Donald Trump until after the 2024 presidential election. Clyde says he plans to amend the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies 2024 appropriations bill with language that would "...prohibit the use of federal funding for the prosecution of any major presidential candidate prior to the upcoming presidential election on November 5th, 2024." show more